Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel Confirms He Will Remain in Role Amid Ongoing Investigation
Warde Manuel told university officials he will continue as Michigan's athletic director, while the Board of Regents prepares to meet Thursday as a broader probe into the department's culture proceeds.
University of Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel confirmed to The Detroit News that he will stay in his position for the near term. In a text exchange on Monday, he replied “Yes, I am” when asked about his future, and later told Yahoo! Sports reporter Ross Dellenger that recent conversations with President Domenico Grasso indicated no plans for his departure.
The confirmation comes as national outlets report that the Board of Regents may discuss the findings of a $12 million investigation into the athletic department’s culture at its Thursday meeting in Traverse City. The probe, originally launched to examine former football coach Sherrone Moore’s conduct, was expanded in December to assess broader misconduct within the department.
University officials said no formal investigative report has been completed and that athletics are not expected to be on the agenda, though regents can raise any issue during their comment period. Assistant vice president for public affairs Paul Corliss stated that, to his knowledge, the board will not address the investigation at the meeting.
Manuel, who has led the department since 2016, has overseen multiple national championships but also faced scrutiny over several controversies, including the handling of Moore’s dismissal, a sign-stealing scandal involving football staff, and disciplinary actions against coaches in basketball and hockey. The university retained Jenner & Block to expand the inquiry into departmental culture.
Separately, reports suggest the university is preparing a potential buyout for Manuel. Under his 2024 contract extension, he could receive severance equal to either the remainder of his term through 2030 or 36 months, whichever is shorter, amounting to roughly $2 million per year for up to three years, unless termination is for cause.
The regents’ meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the Delmar Hotel in Traverse City, with a livestream expected to be available.