Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel faces possible departure as investigation concludes
A third-party probe into the University of Michigan's athletic culture is nearing completion, and the board of regents will consider the findings, which could lead to the ouster of Athletic Director Warde Manuel.
A Chicago-based firm is finishing a third-party investigation into the culture of the University of Michigan's athletic department, with results slated for release on Thursday. The university's board of regents is expected to meet later this week to review the findings, which have raised questions about the future of Athletic Director Warde Manuel.
Manuel's tenure has been marked by a series of controversies, including the departure of former football coach Jim Harbaugh, a scouting and sign-stealing probe involving the Connor Stallions, and the recent criminal case involving football coach Sherrone Moore, who pleaded no contest to lesser charges related to an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. The Moore case triggered the broader cultural investigation.
Other incidents cited in the probe include former quarterback coach Matt Weiss, who faces federal charges for hacking female athletes' accounts, and former defensive graduate assistant Latroy Lewis, who is under criminal investigation for alleged sexual assault incidents in December 2024 and January 2025.
Supporters note that Manuel oversaw NCAA championships in football in 2023 and men's basketball in 2026, and highlight his background as a former Michigan player under coach Bo Schembechler. He also hired basketball coach Dusty May and selected Moore to succeed Harbaugh as head football coach.
The investigation’s findings will determine whether Manuel remains in his role or departs from the university.