When former Michigan Wolverines head football coach Sharrone Moore was fired with cause a little over a week ago, it was yet another feather in the cap for Michigan AD Warde Emanuel, for all the wrong reasons. The University of Michigan hired the law firm of Jenner & Block to do a full investigation into the Michigan Athletic Department. On December 11 university Board of Regents sat down with Manuel to discuss the Moore firing while the law firm continued the investigation.
The Sharrone Moore incident is just one that has happened under Manuel’s watch, incidents that have been ongoing since Michigan hired the AD job in 2016. Here is a timeline of incidents under Manuel.
*2016, Michigan wide receiver Grant Perry was accused of groping a student at the university. Perry accepted a plea deal in 2017.
*2016, Manuel hires Rhonda Feahn as gymnastics coach, Feahn was a national coach and did not report the sexual activities of Larry Nassar right away.
*2022, Manuel suspended mens basketball coach Juwan Howard after he hit Wisconsin assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft on the head.
*2022, Manuel fired mens hockey coach Mel Pearson after multiple issues within the hockey program.
*2023, Michigan football coach Matt Weiss was arrested on charges of computer hacking of over 150,000 students most of which were females.
*2023, Manuel suspends football coach Jim Harbaugh three-games for alleged recruiting violations.
*2023, Connor Stalions sign stealing which lead to another three-game suspension for Harbaugh and lead to the firing of linebackers coach Chris Patridge.
*2023, Alex Yood fired for trying to have a relationship with a 13- year old girl.
*2025, two members of the Michigan football program, Denard Robinson and Greg Scruggs leave the program after both men were arrested with driving under the influence.
Many believe that, based on the mounting issues within the athletic department, it will be difficult for Manuel to keep his job. Whether Manuel stays (unlikely) or is relieved of his duties, it will not affect the Michigan football coaching search and hire. That is for the Board of Regents, Boosters, and Alumni to figure out. Very rarely does a head coach have any contact with the AD, so there is nothing to keep a coach from taking the job.
For Michigan to overcome recent issues, a total severance needs to take place. Jim Harbaugh is now in the NFL; however, in no way should another coach from his time at Michigan be considered for the head coaching job. Warde Manuel should be out as well due to the large scale issues that have mounted since he was hired.
