Michigan AD Warde Manuel to step down at the end of calendar year

Key Points:

• Michigan announced that athletic director Warde Manuel will step down at the end of 2024 following an internal investigation highlighting failures in leadership accountability and response to misconduct allegations within the athletics department.
• The $12 million investigation, conducted by Jenner & Block, identified three key areas for improvement: leadership accountability, organizational structure, and reporting culture, but the full findings remain confidential.
• Manuel faced criticism for delays in addressing wrongdoing by athletic department employees, notably in the handling of the Sherrone Moore scandal, which involved allegations of harassment and criminal charges against Moore.
• Lawsuits related to the department's culture continue, including one from Moore’s former assistant Paige Shiver demanding transparency and another from former staffer Chris Partridge alleging cover-ups of a sign-stealing scandal involving university leadership.
• Manuel’s tenure was marked by significant athletic success, including national championships in football and basketball, but also persistent controversies and NCAA investigations, making his legacy both highly accomplished and contentious.