How football fans are reacting to Warde Manuel's exit from Michigan

[ASFN Admin]

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel's tenure with the university is coming to an end, and the internet has mixed reactions.

Michigan announced on July 20 that Manuel would be stepping down from his position as athletic director at the end of the year.

The school also released findings into an investigation on the circumstances surrounding the conduct of former football coach Sherrone Moore, stating that the investigation identified failures of Warde to "quickly and effectively act on allegations of wrongdoing by Athletic Department employees."


Michigan fired Moore with cause, and he was later arrested after an encounter at the home of a woman with whom he had an affair. The Wolverines replaced Moore by hiring former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham.

Manuel was given a five-year extension as athletic director in December 2024 with a base salary of $1.9 million. His contract was scheduled to expire in 2030.

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See internet reactions to Manuel's departure below.

Will Warde Manuel be remembered more for the 4 National Titles in his tenure or the scandals ? Idk. https://t.co/J9Y88UMHJX

— and I never slice. (@bushwood_c) July 20, 2026

Warde Manuel is stepping down as Michigan’s athletic director.

What’s next for him?

Does he stay involved in college athletics, move into a conference or NCAA role, head to TV, or retire altogether? https://t.co/zbpgFbxD6N

— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) July 20, 2026

Warde Manuel stepping down. Only 5 years too late...

— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) July 20, 2026

We get another year of Warde Manuel https://t.co/tkL0JDBCawpic.twitter.com/1oNAqRXmRC

— Fred Mahomes (@freddy2chains) July 20, 2026

GOODBYE WARDE MANUEL. YOU WILL NOT BE MISSED

— LjCasonLover (@ljcasonlover) July 20, 2026

Goodbye, Warde Manuel. A reactive tenure filled with scandals, bad PR, inability to retain quality coaches, and an overall lack of vision. Any competent AD should be able to win at Michigan, but the job is a lot more than that. It’s time to clean house and establish some…

— Section 313 Sports (@Section313Sport) July 20, 2026

Warde Manuel out. It’s a new era pic.twitter.com/OIHVczW3Ie

— CadeWRLD (@CadeWRLD_) July 20, 2026

There’s only been issues with the football, men’s basketball, and hockey head coaches in the last decade. No biggie. https://t.co/boHcYI04uy

— Jacob Cotsonika (@jacobcotsonika) July 20, 2026

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How football fans are reacting to Warde Manuel's exit from Michigan

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