The future of Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel is suddenly hanging in the balance, with multiple reports pointing to a decision that could come out of Thursday’s University of Michigan Board of Regents meeting.
Pete Nakos of On3.com reported that the regents are expected to discuss Manuel’s future, and Ross Dellenger followed by saying the “future of Manuel is in doubt.” Both cited Justin Spiro as the first to report that a decision had been made and that buyout negotiations were underway. Rumors had already started circulating on X through Michigan accounts before the reports gained traction.
The timing lands in the middle of a broader investigation into the athletic department. Michigan hired a law firm and paid $12 million for a report after the Sherrone Moore scandal, and the latest developments suggest that review is now reaching a critical point. The expectation, based on the reporting, is that Manuel is being held accountable for what unfolded while Moore was Michigan football’s head coach.
Moore’s downfall was tied to an affair with Paige Shiver, a subordinate. He was fired in December when the situation became public, then was arrested later that same day after an altercation at her home.
The reports do not suggest sanctions are coming for the athletic department itself, but they do indicate that more details may soon surface, and that they are unlikely to reflect well on Manuel. There had already been months of chatter around his status, and for a while it seemed possible he might survive the fallout from a report that still has not been released publicly.
Manuel has overseen two Michigan national championships during his tenure. The Wolverines won the college football national title after the 2023 season, then added the NCAA men’s basketball championship in the 2025-26 season.
If Manuel is indeed out, Michigan would likely move quickly to name an interim athletic director. The school has some major cleanup ahead, and the next leadership decision could shape how it handles everything that comes next.
The news also comes at a strange time for the athletic department. Mike Boynton was just given a two-year deal on Friday, removing the interim tag, while Kyle Whittingham was hired back in December soon after Moore was fired. Dusty May also just left for the Dallas Mavericks, and some have wondered whether there was any connection to the ongoing report.
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