Michigan president Domenico Grasso gave athletic director Warde Manuel a vote of confidence Thursday despite multiple scandals and an ongoing controversy surrounding an investigation into the Wolverines' athletic department.
Speaking with MLive's Sam Jane after the university's monthly Board of Regents meeting, Grasso called Manuel "one of the best athletic directors in the country." School officials did not discuss the results of Jenner & Block's investigation during the one-hour meeting in Traverse City.
I asked UM President Domenico Grasso after the meeting if he still believed Warde Manuel is the “best AD in the country?”
— Sam Jane (@sam_jane230) July 16, 2026
His response: “Warde is one of the best athletic directors in the country.”
I spoke with more officials as well on Manuel’s future. More to come at @MLive pic.twitter.com/nUIhK0n2AJ
The law firm's investigation centered on two probes: one into former football coach Sherrone Moore's affair with Paige Shiver and another into the culture of Michigan's athletic department under Manuel. When asked whether the university would provide an update on the investigation's findings, Grasso did not give a direct answer.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Free Press' Dave Boucher reported Thursday that Michigan denied a public records request seeking any "findings, conclusions, analysis, deductions or other results" Jenner & Block provided to the university. UM acknowledged the university possesses those records — a shift from its previous position that no such documents existed — but argued they are protected by attorney-client privilege and cannot be released publicly.
For those interested in watching the Michigan board of regents meeting, here’s what it has looked and sounded like for a notable portion of the proceedings. pic.twitter.com/CEKpfPaRKY
— Tony Garcia | Detroit Free Press (@RealTonyGarcia) July 16, 2026
Michigan's refusal to release the findings came days after The Wall Street Journal revealed new details from Jenner & Block's investigation, which concluded the university's response to Moore's relationship with Shiver was inadequate and that responsibility for handling misconduct allegations within the athletic department was often unclear.
According to the report, warning signs about Moore's relationship emerged throughout 2024, including concerns raised by Manuel, complaints made to the university and a report from Shiver's father. The investigation also identified broader compliance failures within Michigan's athletic department, finding the university failed to implement recommendations from a previous sexual misconduct review and that its athletics compliance officer reported directly to Manuel rather than the university's Office of General Counsel.
Grasso’s vote of confidence comes after reports earlier this week indicated that Michigan was considering parting ways with Manuel this week. Following Thursday’s meeting, however, it appears no change in leadership at the top of Michigan’s athletic department is imminent.
