The coaching and administration turnover at Michigan continues as the school announced Monday that athletic director Warde Manuel will step down at the end of the calendar year.
Manuel, a former football player with the Wolverines, has been in the role since 2016, delivering national championships in both men's basketball and football during his tenure.
There have also been numerous off-field incidents surrounding the athletic department during that time, including the Connor Stalions' sign-stealing scandal and Sherrone Moore's firing and arrest in December.
The news of Manuel's impending departure comes on the same day the school released findings from an outside investigation into Moore's conduct and the culture of the athletic department.
"The broader culture review has identified serious concerns that require immediate action," Michigan president Domenico Grasso said in a video published Monday. "These include failures in accountability, structural deficiencies, weaknesses in our reporting and support systems, and concerns about retaliation. This is unacceptable. We have significant work ahead to restore Michigan athletics to its standing as a model program - not only on the field but off the field."
Manuel will serve as a special adviser to the president as the school implements changes in the athletic department to address the issues discovered in the review.
"I am very proud of all the successes and accomplishments of our athletic department over the past 11 years," Manuel said in a statement obtained by Brett McMurphy of On3. "We have tremendous coaches and professionals who support our outstanding student-athletes every day. I am happy president Grasso asked me to stay on to work with him to implement the recommendations for continuous improvement. I promise everyone I will have more to say about my decision at the appropriate time."
The 58-year-old has made multiple significant hires over the last year. He named former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham as Moore's replacement in late December and recently promoted Mike Boynton Jr. to head men's basketball coach following Dusty May's departure to the NBA.
