**Warde Manuel Stays on as Michigan AD Amidst Football Scandal**
The University of Michigan's storied football program is reeling from the latest scandal to rock the institution. On Wednesday, head coach Sherrone Moore was abruptly fired for an "inappropriate relationship" with a staffer, which led to his subsequent arrest and charging with assault.
The fallout has sparked a search for a new coach, but in a surprise move, Michigan announced that Athletics Director Warde Manuel will remain at the helm. According to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, this decision was confirmed after an emergency meeting between board members and officials on Thursday.
This news comes as the Wolverines wrap up their regular season with a respectable 9-3 overall record and a 7-2 mark in the Big Ten. They will now focus on preparing for their upcoming matchup against Texas in the Cheez It-Citrus Bowl on December 31st.
Warde Manuel, a former Michigan football player who played under Coach Bo Schembechler from 1986 to 1989, has been the Athletics Director since 2016. His decision to stay on despite the scandal raises eyebrows, especially considering the tumultuous history of the program during his tenure.
Moore's firing marks the second major scandal to plague the program this year. He was previously implicated in the Stalions Sign-Stealing Scandal and accused of destroying evidence related to illegal recruiting efforts. These incidents, along with others, have occurred under Manuel's watch, sparking concerns about his leadership and oversight.
Under Manuel's tenure, other high-profile scandals have rocked the university, including:
- Coach Jim Harbaugh's suspension during the COVID pandemic for recruiting violations related to impermissible contact
- The indictment of former Offensive Coordinator Matt Weiss on 24 federal hacking charges in 2023, which included allegations of stealing contact information and identities of female student-athletes from around 100 universities
- The firing of former Men's Basketball Coach Juwan Howard in March 2024 due to poor team performance and behavioral issues
- Howard's suspension in 2022 after physically striking Wisconsin Assistant Coach Joe Krabbenhoft, as well as his altercation with Strength Coach Jon Sanderson
The string of scandals has left many questioning Manuel's ability to effectively lead the Athletics Department and address these recurring issues. Despite this, he remains at the helm, leaving fans and stakeholders to wonder if he will be able to restore stability and trust to the program.