Michigan Regents to Discuss Athletic Department Investigation; Athletic Director Contract Runs Through 2030

The University of Michigan regents are scheduled to discuss an investigation into the culture of its athletic department on Thursday, with a decision on the future of athletic director Warde Manuel expected in the coming days, sources told ESPN. Michigan commissioned the investigation in December after firing football coach Sherrone Moore for an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.

Moore later drove to the home of staff member Paige Shiver and confronted her, leading to his arrest and a plea deal on misdemeanor charges of malicious use of a telecommunications device and trespassing.

The internal report, conducted by the Chicago law firm Jenner & Block, has cost more than $11 million. It is expected to examine what Manuel and other officials knew about the relationship and how they responded. Manuel, 58, has served as Michigan's athletic director since 2016 under a contract that runs through 2030.

His annual compensation under a December 2024 deal is nearly $2.4 million, including deferred pay. He has not been cited in any of the department's scandals. During Manuel's tenure the university won national titles in men's basketball in 2026, football in 2023, and men's and women's gymnastics in 2025 and 2021.

He hired Dusty May as men's basketball coach from Florida Atlantic in March 2024. May won the 2026 national title before leaving for the Dallas Mavericks nearly two months after Manuel publicly stated the coach would remain at Michigan for many years. A university spokesman told ESPN on Sunday that the school had nothing to report and declined further comment.