Michigan athletics achieved national titles despite departmental misconduct
Michigan won football and basketball national titles despite concurrent departmental misconduct.
Event / Politics
Michigan Athletic Department Misconduct
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel agreed to step down at the end of 2026 following a $12 million independent investigation by Jenner & Block into the athletic department's culture and handling of misconduct by former football coach Sherrone Moore. The investigation identified failures in leadership oversight and accountability.
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2026-08-15 to 2026-11-12 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 21 Jul, 01:00 UTC
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What happened
Michigan released summary of Jenner & Block investigation report
The University of Michigan released a heavily abridged summary of the confidential Jenner & Block report on July 21, 2026. The full report remains confidential, with Michigan citing pending litigation as limiting the university's ability to discuss certain facts, evidence, and personnel matters.
Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore fired for inappropriate relationship
Sherrone Moore, the head football coach at the University of Michigan, was fired on December 10, 2025, for engaging in a longstanding inappropriate relationship with his executive assistant Paige Shiver. Moore had served as head coach for two years before his termination.
Jenner & Block investigation identified failures in athletic department oversight
The Jenner & Block investigation identified failures by athletic department leadership to quickly and effectively act on allegations of wrongdoing by athletic department employees. The investigation recommended improvements in three areas: leadership accountability, organizational structure, and reporting culture.
Michigan hired Warde Manuel as athletic director on January 29, 2016
Warde Manuel was hired as athletic director at the University of Michigan on January 29, 2016, replacing Dave Brandon. Manuel was a former defensive tackle for Michigan under coach Bo Schembechler and had previously served as athletic director at UConn.
Michigan men's basketball won national championship in 2026
The University of Michigan men's basketball team won the national championship in 2026 under head coach Dusty May. May subsequently left to become head coach of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks.
Michigan football won 2023 national championship under Jim Harbaugh
The University of Michigan football team won the national championship in 2023 under head coach Jim Harbaugh. The championship season occurred amid a sign-stealing scandal and recruiting violations that resulted in suspensions for Harbaugh.
Michigan dismissed multiple coaches for misconduct during Manuel's tenure
During Warde Manuel's time as athletic director, the University of Michigan dismissed men's basketball coach Juwan Howard, men's hockey coach Mel Pearson, and football offensive coordinator Matt Weiss. Mel Pearson's firing involved serious misconduct allegations, and Matt Weiss was preceded by a federal indictment on 24 charges of alleged computer access crimes.
Sherrone Moore allegedly assaulted Paige Shiver after being fired
On the day he was fired on December 10, 2025, Sherrone Moore allegedly went to the apartment of his former executive assistant Paige Shiver. Authorities reported that he barged in, grabbed two butter knives, and backed her into a corner.
Michigan commissioned $12 million independent investigation of athletic department
The University of Michigan hired Chicago law firm Jenner & Block to conduct an independent investigation of its athletic department at a cost of approximately $12 million. The investigation examined the department's culture and handling of misconduct allegations by athletic department employees.
Michigan athletic department led by Manuel won multiple national championships
Under Warde Manuel's leadership from 2016 to 2026, the Michigan athletic department won national championships in football (2023), men's basketball (2026), men's and women's gymnastics, and reached Elite Eight tournaments in women's basketball and the Men's College World Series finals in baseball (2019).
Michigan AD Warde Manuel agrees to step down at end of 2026
Warde Manuel, athletic director at the University of Michigan since 2016, agreed to a buyout of his remaining contract and will step down at the end of 2026. Manuel was 58 years old at the time of the announcement. His departure followed investigations into the athletic department's culture and misconduct allegations.
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Michigan AD steps down after investigation reveals oversight failures
Michigan's athletic director stepping down after investigation found departmental oversight failures and multiple coaching misconduct cases.