Michigan’s athletic director, Warde Manuel, is addressing significant changes within the football program following the dismissal of coach Sherone Moore.
Last year’s investigation uncovered that Moore had been involved in “inappropriate relationships with staff.” It later came to light that a former assistant coach was part of that scenario, leading Michigan’s leadership to feel a deep sense of “betrayal.”
“Betrayed” is the word Manuel chose to describe his feelings. He explained that the incident impacted not just him but many others connected to the program. “It was personal, but this was also for the many people affected. … Some might say it was insensitive not to act on rumors, but it’s complicated when you don’t have solid evidence,” he reflected.
Manuel avoided directly answering questions about who initiated the investigation and whether it was his or the Board of Regents’ decision. He also took time to defend the program’s overall culture, emphasizing that most individuals are committed to doing things the right way.
“If that’s their direction, that’s fine,” he stated. “But I need people to see that 99.9 percent of us are trying hard to operate well. Yes, we have issues, but what organization doesn’t?”
He firmly quashed rumors regarding an investigation into his own actions, insisting that was not the case. “That’s not how I see it,” he clarified, noting that while leadership assessments can be tough, he believes they’re not the primary focus at this time. “Yes, we have problems, and we’re working on them,” he reiterated.
On the subject of Moore’s sentencing, he chose not to comment on the specifics, instead focusing on the need for everyone involved to move forward. “I hope Cherone can get through this for himself and his family. My concern is more about him as a person. … I want him and others to learn from this situation and come out stronger. I’m not critical of the verdict or what he’s going through,” he concluded.
Moore, fired from Michigan State, faced up to five years in prison for charges related to burglary and stalking but was able to avoid jail time after pleading to lesser offenses. Kyle Whittingham has been appointed as the new head coach for Michigan, stepping in to replace Moore.
