Warde Manuel has not been fired as Michigan’s athletic director.
In light of the Sherrone Moore firing and then subsequent arrest, rumors spread across social media on Thursday, Dec. 11, that Manuel had been fired from his role after Barstool Sports founder and Michigan alum Dave Portnoy posted on “X” that he had been let go Thursday afternoon.
Advertisement
“So Warde Manuel is out. We have no coach. No AD. Chaos is a ladder. Who will lead us? Never fear Johnny is here!” Portnoy said in a post on “X” with a picture of former Michigan basketball coach John Beilein.
However, Portnoy’s post was not accurate, according to Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger.
Dellenger reported Thursday that Michigan board members and other officials from the university held a meeting Thursday to discuss the Sherrone Moore situation as the former coach sits in the Washtenaw County jail awaiting potential charges.
As Michigan tries to navigate this messy situation, Manuel is staying on in his role as athletic director as the Wolverines start to look for their next football coach, according to Dellenger.
Advertisement
FOLLOW ALONG: Sherrone Moore news: The latest on arrested ex-Michigan football coach
Earlier in the day, NBC’s Nicole Auerbach reported that Manuel was alone when he fired Moore and was without a human resources representative or any security in the room. In addition, Auerbach reports that Michigan had been aware that Moore was struggling with mental health issues before the firing. He was arrested later that afternoon and was held in jail all of Thursday.
Moore is far from the first scandal under Manuel’s leadership.
The list is lengthy, but includes a car crach by star Michigan point guard Zavier Simpson in a vehicle registered to Manuel’s wife, a suspension for then-basketball coach Juwan Howard after fighting with a Wisconsin basketball assistant, multiple suspensions for football coaches Jim Harbaugh and Sherrone Moore – first for a recruiting violation and then for their roles in the Connor Stalions sign-stealing saga – plus other incidents.
Advertisement
For now, it appears Manuel is staying on.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Has Warde Manuel been fired as Michigan’s athletic reporter?
