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

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Warde Manuel’s tenure as Michigan’s Athletic Director will come to a close at the end of this calendar year, Michigan announced today.

Manuel, hired in 2016, made the Wolverines’ last three basketball coaching hires — Juwan Howard, Dusty May and Mike Boynton Jr. His ability to lure May to Michigan led to the Wolverines’ first National Championship since 1989, but he also lost both John Beilein and May to professional opportunities and had to fire Howard just five years after his hiring.

Across the department, Manuel’s tenure had also been marred by controversy and scandal, with various investigations into the Athletic Department’s behavior — most recently, with a Jenner & Block investigation and review after Sherrone Moore’s firing. The results of that review prompted Manuel’s departure.

“With the investigation and culture review concluded, the University is moving forward with implementation of recommendations designed to strengthen integrity, accountability, compliance and organizational effectiveness,” U-M said in a statement. “While documents related to the investigation and culture review remain confidential in order to protect the privacy of witnesses who participated, safeguard the confidentiality of the investigative process, and preserve attorney-client privilege, the information below reflects the principal facts of the investigation and culture review, recommendations, and the actions the University is taking to implement them.”

Manuel’s replacement will have a critical impact on the basketball program. The Wolverines signed Mike Boynton Jr. to a two-year deal — with a second year not guaranteed and tied to program goals and success — and the next Athletic Director will likely play a critical role in setting the basketball program’s future.