Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel to resign by year-end after internal review

University of Michigan said athletic director Warde Manuel will step down at the end of the calendar year. The decision follows an internal review that identified three primary areas needing improvement: leadership accountability, organizational structure and reporting culture. The review, conducted by the law firm Jenner & Block, found that the department failed to act promptly on allegations of employee misconduct.

President Domenico Grasso released a video message and a website summarizing the findings, stating that no further public statements or documents will be released at this time. Manuel, who has led Michigan athletics since 2016, previously acknowledged uncertainty about his future and said he could not predict when further announcements would be made.

The investigation was launched amid broader scrutiny of the athletics department, including the dismissal of football coach Sherrone Moore after allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member and related criminal charges. Lawsuits related to the department’s handling of misconduct allegations remain pending.

Manuel’s tenure saw multiple national championships across sports, but also involved several controversies, such as NCAA investigations and the handling of the Moore case. The university’s review aims to address cultural and procedural issues as it moves forward.