Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel could be on the way out after overseeing a stretch that has already put the school at the center of multiple scandals, and Ohio State fans are watching closely.
According to multiple reports, Michigan is preparing to release its full report on the athletic department investigation, with a final decision on Manuel expected next week. In cases like this, that kind of timing usually does not point to good news for the person under review, and Manuel appears to be in real danger of losing his job.
The backdrop is ugly. Under Jim Harbaugh, Michigan was tied to the most organized cheating scandal in modern college football history, with Connor Stalions illegally scouting opponents.
The fallout hit the program hard. Harbaugh received a show-cause that will likely keep him from coaching in college football ever again, and Sherrone Moore was handed a suspension.
Moore’s issues did not stop there, either, as he was also fired after an inappropriate relationship with a staffer.
That’s why Buckeyes fans have spent plenty of time pointing the finger at Manuel, arguing that he did not do enough to rein in the program. If he is removed, it would be another major blow to a Michigan athletic department already under intense scrutiny.
For Ohio State, the appeal is obvious. Manuel has been the athletic director during a run of football turmoil that has affected the Buckeyes directly, and fans in Columbus have not been shy about enjoying the possibility of his exit. The source of the investigation is an independent firm, and the expectation is that the report will shed more light on how little integrity the athletic department has shown.
There is also a practical side to the Buckeyes’ reaction. Ohio State fans believe Ross Bjork would never allow anything like this to happen on his watch, which is why he remains in place. In their view, a Michigan leadership change would only help the Buckeyes’ chances of beating TTUN and chasing championships.
Some Ohio State fans may also wish the move had come before Michigan hired Dusty May. The Buckeyes had a chance to hire him first, and the belief is that he could have won a national title in Columbus before heading to the NBA.
Even so, the bigger picture remains the same: Michigan could be headed for a new voice at the top of its athletic department, and that could set the program back for a few years. The source also notes that once Kyle Whittingham decides to retire, that would be another factor in Michigan’s future, with the idea that he is not long for college football at his age, especially at a place like Michigan.
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