​It appears that the collateral fallout from the Sherrone Moore saga and Michigan’s handling of it isn’t entirely finished, as multiple reports emerged Sunday afternoon suggesting that Athletic Director Warde Manuel’s future with the university could be in jeopardy. Initially, Justin Spiro reported on Sunday that Michigan had already decided to move on from Manuel and was in the process of negotiating the terms of his departure. Not long after, Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger published a follow-up indicating that while Manuel’s firing wasn’t officially confirmed, the university’s Board of Regents would be meeting on Thursday, and his employment status would be among the topics discussed.
News of Manuel’s precarious position follows roughly eight months after the university terminated head football coach Sherrone Moore for cause following an investigation that revealed he was engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. In the wake of Moore’s dismissal, Jenner & Block, a Chicago-based law firm, was commissioned to conduct a separate internal inquiry into the athletic department and its handling of Moore’s initial investigation. Although Jenner & Block’s review began months ago, its findings have not yet been released publicly.
Last week, Dave Boucher of the Detroit Free Press reported that the university was facing a lawsuit alleging that public records were being concealed. It remains unclear whether Manuel’s current situation is connected to this new lawsuit. However, given that his role is under scrutiny, it is reasonable to anticipate that any outcome from the ongoing investigations could be announced sooner rather than later.
Manuel has served as Michigan’s athletic director since 2016. During his tenure, the university has enjoyed notable successes across several athletic programs, but those achievements have been accompanied by a series of scandals and controversial episodes. The Moore incident is the latest in a string of high-profile issues, which have also drawn attention to the football program in relation to the Connor Stallions scandal in 2023 and recruiting violations during the Jim Harbaugh era amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional misconduct allegations contributed to the firing of men’s ice hockey coach Mel Pearson in 2022.
Dellenger reported that an official announcement regarding Manuel’s status could come as soon as this week. Manuel signed a contract extension in 2024 that runs through 2030, and the contract’s terms specify that a firing would trigger 36 months of severance pay unless Manuel and the university reach a different agreement.
Follow Maize n Brew for continuing coverage of this developing story.