Warde Manuel was named athletic director at the University of Michigan in 2016.

In the wake of the University of Michigan firing football coach Sherrone Moore, athletic director Warde Manuel's job could now be in jeopardy.

Manuel made the official announcement on Wednesday, Dec. 10, that Moore had been fired after two years as head coach after an investigation in which "credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member."

LIVE UPDATES: Latest news on Sherrone Moore's firing, arrest

The firing calls into question Manuel's choice of Moore to replace former coach Jim Harbaugh − who led the Wolverines to a national championship in 2023, but left following an NCAA investigation into allegations of sign-stealing. Moore served as interim head coach for six games while Harbaugh was suspended, and Manuel hired him to take over the job in 2024.

Moore served a two-game suspension this past season for his role in the sign-stealing scandal, and would have been suspended for next season's opener had he remained as Michigan's head coach.

Who is Warde Manuel?

Manuel, a former defensive lineman for the Wolverines from 1986-1989 under legendary coach Bo Schembechler, has served as the school's AD since January 2016.

He previously served as the athletic director at Connecticut (2012-2016) and SUNY-Buffalo (2005-2012). Before that, he was an associate athletic director at Michigan from 2000-2005.

He has served on the College Football Playoff selection committee, and was the committee chairman for the 2024-25 season.

Warde Manuel salary

In December 2024, the University of Michigan finalized a five-year contract extension with Manuel which is scheduled to run through June 30, 2030.

According to a copy of his contract obtained by the USA TODAY Network, as of Jan. 1, 2025, Manuel is being paid $1.9 million annually in base salary with a maximum of $150,000 in performance incentives.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Warde Manuel? Michigan AD under fire after coach's arrest

Reporting by Steve Gardner, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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