It feels like the writing is on the wall for Michigan's Warde Manuel.
Pete Nakos of On3 reported on Sunday that the Michigan Board of Regents will meet on Thursday to discuss Manuel's future in the wake of the investigation of the athletic department conducted by a law firm that cost north of $10 million.
Others have reported what I have waited for my sources to confirm: Michigan is preparing a buy-out for AD Warde Manuel, which he is expected to accept. Some version of the investigation UM commissioned into the department is likely to be released by the end of the week, too.
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) July 13, 2026
John U. Bacon, the most trusted Michigan insider, reported on Sunday that Manuel is expected to accept a buyout to move on. The investigation is also expected to be released, via Bacon.
That means Michigan will be without an athletic director less than a week after Mike Boynton was given a two-year deal to lead the basketball program after the departure of Dusty May. Boynton was named the interim head coach, and had the interim tag removed.
That seemed like the best option. There were reports that Manuel tried to hire some other coaches, or at least gauge their interest, but Boynton was the best option, especially after he was able to retain the roster left by Dusty May, with 13 of 14 players confirming they will be back through announcements or media reports.
Manuel has dealt with multiple scandals over the years, from Connor Stalions to the Sherrone Moore fiasco, which led to Moore being fired and eventually arrested. That led to the hire of Kyle Whittingham and the investigation, which seems like it will lead to Manuel's ousting as AD.
It's a mess, no matter how you slice it. The next steps are important. Michigan needs to hire a quality athletic director that will put an end to these sort of scandals, while keeping up with the championship standard that has been set in the past decade.
Michigan has reached the Final 8 in football, basketball, women's basketball, hockey, and baseball, all in the past seven years.
Michigan's best move to replace Warde Manuel in the interim
A candidate I’d look at for Michigan interim athletic director once Warde Manuel is out:
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) July 12, 2026
John Beilein. pic.twitter.com/cvCyzIXfX9
It will take a minute to make a permanent hire. However, Clayton Sayfie of The Wolverine offered up the ideal interim candidate: John Beilein.
The former Michigan basketball head coach is beyond reproach. He's a no non-sense type of leader. He does things the right away, and did so on the recruiting trail, at times, to the detriment of his program.
Beilein would give instant credibility to the athletic department. He wouldn't be a permanent solution, but he's a great leader. He could oversee things in the short term and he loves Michigan. He might be willing to do it, and it makes a lot of sense if things go down as expected this week.
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