Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel will step down from his position at the end of the calendar year, the school announced Monday.
According to findings of its internal investigation into leadership and the athletics department, the culture review identified three overarching areas for improvement — leadership accountability, organizational structure and reporting culture.
Michigan, which is not making the findings of its $12 million internal investigation into the athletic department public, released a basic overview on Monday with details.
As it relates to Manuel’s role, the investigation “identified failures to quickly and effectively act on allegations of wrongdoing by Athletic Department employees.”
Michigan shared the following statement on Monday to CBS Sports:
“This morning, the University of Michigan shared a video message from President Domenico Grasso with students, faculty and staff, along with a website outlining the findings of the independent athletics reviews conducted by the law firm Jenner & Block and the actions the university will take in response. Both the video and the information posted on the website may be used in reporting as on-the-record statements from President Grasso and the University of Michigan.
“At this time, the university does not have any additional public statements planned regarding these matters, nor does the university plan to release any associated documents. We can confirm, however, that Director of Athletics Warde Manuel will step down at the end of the calendar year.”
Manuel released a statement on Monday, saying he was “very proud of all the successes and accomplishments” during his 11-year tenure, and that he “will have more to say about my decision at the appropriate time.”
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Manuel’s job was reported to be in jeopardy ahead of a meeting in which Michigan leaders were expected to receive the findings of an investigation into the culture of the Wolverines’ athletics department and consider a response. The investigation came amid fallout from the Sherrone Moore scandal. University president Domenico Grasso confirmed the investigation expanded into “an independent evaluation of culture, conduct and procedures throughout our athletics department.”
Manuel was reportedly “weighing his options,” which included retirement, a source told CBS Sports earlier this month.
Lawsuits continue
Paige Shiver, Moore’s former executive assistant at the center of his misconduct leading to his firing, has filed suit against the university. She claims the school violated the Freedom of Information Act and wants the requested records and investigation findings made public.
Shiver’s attorney, Andrew Stroth, was not satisfied with Michigan’s decision to withhold details of the case.
“Our client is asking for transparency,” Stroth told CBS Sports. “Our client is asking for accountability, and we learn more based on the information leaked and reported by the Wall Street Journal than we have from the summary of the report issued today. … We’re simply asking for the truth to come out, and for them, for the university to take responsibility for the abuse that hurt Paige Shiver.”
Manuel, who has served as Michigan’s athletics director since 2016, fired Moore on Dec. 10 after evidence of an inappropriate relationship between Moore and a subordinate staff member was brought to the department that morning. Moore was arrested later that day after he entered the home of that staff member, later identified as Shiver. He was charged with felony home invasion, stalking and breaking and entering.
Shiver, 32, said she endured “years of manipulation, harassment and exploitation” from Moore and that the university failed to protect its employee. Shiver’s lawyers said in March that she “believes strongly that she may not be the only person who experienced inappropriate, coercive, or predatory behavior” from Moore.
Earlier this month, Chris Partridge — who worked at Michigan in 2023 before his dismissal — alleged in an amended lawsuit that former Michigan president Santa Ono and Manuel discovered evidence of the infamous Connor Stalions sign-stealing operation as part of an investigation into former Michigan assistant Matthew Weiss in January 2023.
Partridge alleges that Ono and Manuel discovered evidence of sign-stealing on Weiss’ hard drive, but never reported it to the NCAA or the university’s board of regents. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that Ono told university employees, including Manuel, not to take any notes related to the investigation into Weiss to avoid possible disclosure. Partridge, now with the Seattle Seahawks, is suing the university, its board of regents, Ono, Manuel and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti after he believes he was made the “scapegoat” of the situation.
Manuel’s controversial tenure
Manuel’s tenure atop Michigan athletics will be remembered as one of the most accomplished — and controversial — stretches in school history. The Wolverines celebrated national championships across multiple sports, highlighted by football’s long-awaited return to the top of the mountain, while Michigan basketball also delivered a title under his watch.
Success, however, rarely came without turbulence. Manuel navigated NCAA investigations tied to the football program, the Stalions sign-stealing saga, coaching transitions and mounting pressure over the direction of one of college sports’ most visible brands.
His decision-making came under intense scrutiny during the final years of his tenure, including the handling of Moore’s exit and the football program’s uncertain future prior to Kyle Whittingham’s hiring. Yet despite the off-field headlines, Michigan consistently competed for championships and remained one of the nation’s premier athletic departments. That’s the paradox of Manuel’s legacy: unprecedented trophy-hauling paired with relentless controversy, making his tenure one of the most consequential in modern college athletics.
