Michigan AD Warde Manuel releases statement regarding his future - Maize n Brew

What the report says

Maize n Brew reported that University of Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel issued a public statement on July 20, 2026, shortly after the school’s announcement that he will leave the role at the end of the calendar year. The report, published by Von Lozon, said Manuel’s pending departure was made official Monday morning and that he is expected to remain in place through the transition period.

According to Maize n Brew, Manuel framed his exit around pride in the athletic department’s work during his 11 years in Ann Arbor. He credited Michigan’s coaches and staff for supporting student-athletes and referenced the department’s competitive success during his tenure, including two national championships and numerous Big Ten titles across the programs he supervised.

The statement also indicated that Manuel will continue working with University of Michigan President Domenico Grasso before leaving. Manuel said Grasso asked him to stay on to help carry out recommendations aimed at “continuous improvement,” and he added that he would discuss his decision further at a later time.

The development matters because Michigan is one of the most prominent athletic departments in college sports, and its next athletic director will inherit a high-profile operation during a period of major change in college athletics. Maize n Brew’s article did not name a successor or provide details on the search process, but its related coverage indicates attention has already shifted to potential candidates and the qualities Michigan may seek in its next leader.