Overview
- The university announced this week that Warde Manuel will step down from the athletic director role at the end of the 2026 calendar year and remain temporarily as a special adviser.
- The move follows a broad, independent Jenner & Block review that interviewed roughly 300 people, examined about 20,000 records and cost an estimated $11–12 million.
- The Jenner & Block review singled out failures in oversight, reporting and accountability at the highest levels of the athletic department and prompted commitments to new compliance and HR changes.
- Michigan has released only a public summary of the review and is withholding the full written report and underlying materials, which has led to criticism and pending public-records litigation.
- Commentators and insiders are urging an open national search for Manuel’s successor with clear priorities: enforceable accountability, stronger oversight, and fundraising and coaching retention skills to protect Michigan’s on-field success and traditions.