Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel to leave after culture probe
Michigan said Warde Manuel will step down at year’s end as the school begins an immediate search for its next athletic director.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
1 min read
Warde Manuel is leaving his post as Michigan’s athletic director at the end of the calendar year, the university announced Monday, according to ESPN.
The move was disclosed as Michigan released an overview of an investigation into the culture of athletics at the school. The university said it will begin looking for Manuel’s replacement immediately.
Manuel’s current deal had been scheduled to run through 2030, according to ESPN. His exit, therefore, comes before the end of that contract term.
What Michigan said
In its announcement, Michigan credited Manuel with “important leadership strengths,” pointing specifically to his “commitment to student-athletes.”
The university also said there had been “failures” by Manuel to “quickly and effectively act on allegations of wrongdoing by Athletic Department employees.”
Michigan did not name a successor in the announcement cited by ESPN. The school said the search for a new athletic director would start right away.
The announcement places one of college sports’ highest-profile athletic departments into a leadership transition tied directly to the school’s review of its athletics culture.
Manuel will remain in the role until the end of the calendar year, according to Michigan’s announcement as reported by ESPN.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.