Michigan Regents to Review Athletic Department Culture and AD Warde Manuel's Future
The University of Michigan board will discuss a $11 million investigation into its athletic department and consider the status of athletic director Warde Manuel in the coming days.
The University of Michigan regents are slated to examine a comprehensive investigation into the culture of the school's athletic department on Thursday, sources told ESPN. The review, conducted by Chicago law firm Jenner & Block at a cost exceeding $11 million, will also address the future of athletic director Warde Manuel, with a decision expected within days.
University officials declined to comment further, saying there was nothing to report at this time. The investigation was launched in December after football coach Sherrone Moore was dismissed for an "inappropriate relationship" with a staff member, an incident that led to his arrest and a misdemeanor plea.
The athletic department has faced multiple controversies, including NCAA violations, an illegal scouting scheme involving staff member Connor Stalions, and federal charges against former offensive coordinator Matt Weiss for aggravated identity theft. Weiss has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial in September.
Manuel, a former Michigan football player who has served as athletic director since 2016, has not been directly implicated in these scandals. His contract runs through 2030 with an annual compensation of nearly $2.4 million, including deferred pay. The report will examine what Manuel and other officials knew about the "inappropriate relationship" and how they responded.
The department also contends with penalties from the NCAA related to the scouting scheme, including a fine projected to exceed $30 million, a four-year probation period, and a 10-year show-cause order for former head coach Jim Harbaugh. Manuel previously criticized the Big Ten's suspension of Harbaugh as "completely unethical" before the university withdrew its lawsuit against the conference.
In addition, Manuel's hiring of Florida Atlantic coach Dusty May as men's basketball head coach in March 2024 resulted in a national title this year, after which Manuel announced an extended contract for May.