Michigan AD Warde Manuel agrees to buyout and to step down at end of year

Key Points:

• University of Michigan and athletic director Warde Manuel have agreed to a buyout of his remaining contract, with Manuel stepping down at the end of 2026 after a decade marked by four national championships and multiple scandals.
• The decision follows investigations into former football coach Sherrone Moore’s relationship with his executive assistant and a broader review of the athletic department’s culture, which revealed serious concerns about leadership accountability and organizational structure.
• Despite recent athletic successes, including national titles in men's basketball and football, the department has faced turmoil, including NCAA probation and legal issues involving former staff members.
• The investigation involved nearly 300 interviews, over 90 hotline reports, and review of 20,000 documents, but did not find widespread misconduct or direct evidence linking current employees to Moore’s relationship.
• Interim president Domenico Grasso announced a national search for a new athletic director, with potential candidates including former Michigan athletes and current athletic administrators from other institutions.