Warde Manuel has heard the noise. He’s read the speculation. And now he’s pushing back hard.
The Michigan athletic director, who has overseen four national championships since taking the job in 2016, is firing at what he calls “nonsense” from the media and social media that keeps claiming his job is on the line. Speaking with Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, Manuel didn’t hold back.
“Don’t believe everything out there,” Manuel said. “I think I’ve been fired by social media three times. It’s nonsense. It affects my staff and my family.”
For context, Michigan has been winning. A lot. Women’s gymnastics in 2021, football in 2023, men’s gymnastics in 2025, and men’s basketball in 2026. That’s a haul any program would envy. But the department has been dealing with real controversy too — the Connor Stalions sign-stealing mess, questions about the culture under Jim Harbaugh, and more recently the Sherrone Moore situation and Dusty May’s sudden jump to the Dallas Mavericks.
Manuel blames leaks from people who don’t know the situation
He didn’t name names, but Manuel made it clear he thinks outside parties are feeding reporters bad info.
“People with zero knowledge of what’s going on are talking about things that are happening,” Manuel said. “I wish we got to the point in society where people put their names to things.”
Manuel, who played football at Michigan from 1986 to 1989, has been around the block. He started in administration in 2000 as an associate AD at his alma mater, then ran the show at Buffalo from 2005 to 2012 and Connecticut from 2012 to 2016 before returning to Michigan. So when he says he loves the place, it’s not just talk.
“Because I love this place. My blood, sweat and tears are in Michigan Stadium, on the fields of play and in Schembechler Hall. I’ve been a part of this place for 40 years. I have a deep love for this place,” he said.
That said, there are reports that a buyout discussion might be in the works. Dellenger noted on X that when asked directly if buyout conversations had happened, Manuel deflected. He talked about having conversations with the university president about the future but didn’t give a straight yes or no.
“I’m here today and I know I’m going to be here tomorrow,” Manuel said. “I feel confident in the things I’ve done here at Michigan, not for Warde but for the University of Michigan.”
An internal report related to the Sherrone Moore situation is also expected soon. Moore, the head football coach, has been under scrutiny for his involvement in the sign-stealing scandal that rocked the program last year.
So the big question isn’t whether Manuel wants to stay. He’s made that clear. The question is whether the university wants him to.
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