Just moments after confirming that Athletic Director Warde Manuel will step down at the end of the 2026 calendar year, the University of Michigan released a comprehensive summary of the independent investigation and culture review that examined its athletic department.
While the university will not make the full investigative report public, officials released an extensive overview outlining the principal findings, recommendations, and reforms that will shape the future of Michigan Athletics.
Massive Investigation Examined Michigan Athletics
According to the university, Jenner & Block LLP conducted one of the most extensive reviews in school history.
The investigation included:
- Nearly 350 interviews involving almost 300 witnesses
- More than 90 hotline submissions
- Review of over 20,000 documents
- Interviews with coaches, administrators, student-athletes, university leaders, human resources personnel, and other stakeholders
The review focused on leadership, accountability, compliance, organizational structure, reporting practices, investigations, oversight, and student-athlete support.
Investigation Did Not Find Widespread Misconduct
One of the report’s biggest conclusions is that investigators did not find widespread misconduct throughout Michigan Athletics.
Instead, the review concluded that weaknesses in accountability, reporting structures, oversight, and organizational processes created situations where misconduct was not always addressed consistently or promptly.
What the Review Said About Warde Manuel
The investigation specifically addressed Manuel’s leadership.
According to the university, investigators found that Manuel demonstrated important leadership strengths, particularly his commitment to Michigan’s student-athletes.
However, the review also concluded that there were failures to respond quickly and effectively to allegations of wrongdoing involving athletic department employees.
The release came shortly after Michigan confirmed that Manuel will step down as athletic director at the end of 2026 and that a national search for his successor will begin.
Three Major Areas Identified for Improvement
The culture review highlighted three overarching priorities for Michigan Athletics moving forward:
- Strengthening leadership accountability.
- Improving the department’s organizational structure.
- Creating a stronger reporting culture where employees and student-athletes feel comfortable raising concerns.
Six Reforms Already Planned
The university announced it has accepted the investigation’s recommendations and will immediately begin implementing reforms in six key areas:
- Compliance oversight.
- Human resources operations.
- Investigative policies and procedures.
- Reporting and escalation of misconduct.
- Athletic department leadership and organizational structure.
- Student-athlete health and wellness initiatives.
Michigan also revealed it is exploring the creation of a new U-M Athletics Board that would advise the department in a role similar to the university’s health system board.
Full Report Will Remain Confidential
Although the university summarized its findings, officials said the complete Jenner & Block report will not be released publicly.
Michigan cited witness privacy, attorney-client privilege, investigative integrity, and pending litigation as the primary reasons for keeping the full report confidential while instead publishing what it described as the principal facts, recommendations, and planned actions.
A New Chapter Begins
The timing of the release is notable.
With Manuel now confirmed to be stepping down at the end of the year, Michigan is entering a period of significant transition. Along with beginning the search for a new athletic director, university leaders say they are committed to implementing the reforms outlined in the investigation as they work to strengthen accountability, transparency, and oversight across one of the nation’s premier athletic departments.
