University of Michigan Searches for Athletic Director
The university begins a national search for a new leader following the scheduled departure of Warde Manuel.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in People
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The University of Michigan has officially launched a national search for its next athletic director. Current athletic director Warde Manuel is set to resign from his position on December 31, 2026.
Why it matters
The search seeks a candidate capable of guiding the athletic department through a period of significant transformational change in college sports. Leadership stability remains a priority following recent internal departmental investigations.
Warde Manuel will receive a $7,143,346 resignation payout, which is to be processed within 21 days of his departure. The university previously incurred $12 million in legal fees regarding the firing of former football coach Sherrone Moore.
The players
Warde Manuel
He is the outgoing athletic director at the University of Michigan who is scheduled to resign at the end of 2026.
Domenico Grasso
He is the current president of the University of Michigan who is co-leading the search for the new athletic director.
C. Cybele Raver
She is the president-elect of the University of Michigan who will begin her term in December 2026.
Sherrone Moore
He is the former head football coach at the University of Michigan who was fired in 2025.
ZRG Turnkey
This is a professional executive search firm retained by the university to manage the recruitment process.
The details
President Domenico Grasso and President-elect C. Cybele Raver are leading the recruitment effort, with the university retaining the search firm ZRG Turnkey to facilitate the process. This transition follows the December 2025 termination of former head football coach Sherrone Moore due to an inappropriate relationship with an executive assistant.
Timeline
December 2025: Head football coach Sherrone Moore was fired.
October 26, 2026: The University of Michigan launched the athletic director search.
December 1, 2026: C. Cybele Raver begins her term as university president.
December 31, 2026: Warde Manuel will step down as athletic director.
Market Landscape
The university's current leadership search is directly informed by the fallout and $12 million legal expenditure tied to the 2025 firing of Sherrone Moore. This move reflects a broader trend of institutions restructuring athletics departments to stabilize operations amid intensifying institutional scrutiny.
The athletic director transition and associated legal costs do not immediately change tuition or student fees, but they signal a period of administrative focus on departmental governance. Local supporters should expect continued updates on recruitment as the university prepares for the leadership change in December 2026.
The takeaway
The university is prioritizing a comprehensive search to ensure future stability within its athletic department. This transition serves as a critical reset point for the institution following significant financial and personnel challenges in the previous year.
Further reading
For more information on administrative leadership changes, visit the Ann Arbor People section.
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