The Michigan athletic department could have new leadership soon as some new reports have put Warde Manuel's future in the post very much in doubt.
The University of Michigan hired a law firm and paid $12 million for a report on the athletic department after the Sherrone Moore scandal. It appears that a scandal is coming to a head for Manuel.
A Michigan Board of Regents meeting is scheduled for Thursday, where among the topics expected to be discussed is the future of AD Warde Manuel, sources tell @On3. @DarkoStateNews first to report the unknown future of Manuel. https://t.co/SoLz9edFnH
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) July 12, 2026
Pete Nakos of On3.com reported that a Michigan University Board of Regents meeting is set for Thursday to decide the future of Manuel. Ross Dellenger went further, posting that the "future of Manuel is in doubt."
Dellenger and Nakos cited Justin Spiro as the first to report the news. He says that a decision has been made and that there are negotiations underway about a buyout. Those rumors surfaced on X earlier, too, from some Michigan accounts.
Either way, it appears legit. It doesn't sound like this means any sort of sanctions or anything for the athletic department, but Manuel is being held accountable for what happened when Sherrone Moore was the Michigan football head coach.
Moore had an affair with Paige Shiver, a subordinate. He was fired in December when it came to light, and was arrested later the same day after an altercation at her home.
It sounds like more details will become public, and they won't be good for Manuel. The timing is crazy. Mike Boynton was just given a two-year deal on Friday, removing the interim tag. Kyle Whittingham was hired back in December, soon after Moore was fired.
Both of those moves were solid hires, but that must not excuse whatever conduct was uncovered during the investigation into the Michigan athletic department. Dusty May just left for the Dallas Mavericks and some have wondered if there was any connection to this report.
It's not surprising for Michigan fans. There have been rumors about Manuel for months. It felt like he could survive the report, which still hasn't been released to the public.
Manuel has been the athletic director for two Michigan national championships. The Wolverines won the college football national title after the 2023 season, and followed it up by winning the NCAA men's basketball championship in the 2025-26 season.
Surely, an interim athletic director will be named soon if Manuel is indeed out. Michigan will need to get new leadership in place to right the ship long term. The school has its work cut out for it.
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