The fallout from Sherrone Moore’s firing has quickly shifted attention toward athletic director Warde Manuel’s procedural failures, sparking a full-blown leadership crisis at Michigan.
Rumors about Moore and assistant Paige Shiver were reportedly the worst kept secret in Ann Arbor.
Nicole Auerbach, Dan Patrick, Josh Pate, and former Michigan quarterback Robert Carian all revealed key details that help piece together the timeline, uncover the alleged cover-up, and shed light on the leadership failures surrounding Warde Manuel.
Suddenly, what began as a messy scandal has now escalated into a disaster that threatens more than just the football program — it puts the entire Michigan brand at risk.
Michigan AD Warde Manuel Could Be Fired Soon
AD Warde Manuel could be fired soon, according to a former Michigan scholarship quarterback, who called for his alma mater to wipe the slate clean by getting rid of its athletic director.
Sources tell me Warde Manuel will be gone within the next few days,” said Robert Carian on X. Carian added that a coverup of “at least four months” has been going on behind the scenes.
Manuel was reportedly covering to protect Moore before new evidence finally pushed the Board of Regents to their breaking point.
How Manuel Mishandled Sherrone Moore’s Firing
Nicole Auerbach of NBCSports added another layer. She reported that Michigan had been alerted to Moore’s mental health struggles prior to Wednesday’s firing. Yet Manuel allegedly fired Moore alone, without HR or security present.
If true, this represents a glaring procedural failure — one that set the stage for the dangerous downward spiral that culminated in Moore’s arrest and the alarming threats that followed.
Industry Insiders Knew About Moore’s Relationship Months Ago
According to John U. Bacon, Michigan “conducted an internal investigation” into Moore and Shiver in the summer. “Both said, ‘No how and no way’ anything was happening between them, which didn’t give UM much to go on,” Bacon tweeted. “Her account flipped yesterday morning.”
But Bacon wasn’t the only one spilling new details about the alleged timeline.
“Earlier in the fall, there was a tip sent to the University of Michigan about the potential relationship,” ESPN senior writer Dan Wentzel told Stephen A. Smith. “It was investigated but did not pan out in a case.”
College football insider Josh Pate said he caught wind of the rumor “bubbling behind the scenes” following Michigan’s October 11th loss to USC. Coaches and agents reportedly expected the job to open for weeks, implying the industry anticipated a shakeup long before the public announcement.
Dan Patrick revealed on The Dan Patrick Show that he became aware of the situation from a source at the end of October.
In a new video on Thursday, Pate questioned whether Manuel should even be “running point” on the search for Michigan’s next head coach, noting that Manuel has presided over a department embroiled in multiple scandals in recent years.
Key Timeline & Claims
- Early Summer: Michigan investigates Moore and Shiver’s relationship; both deny wrongdoing
- Early Fall: Michigan receives tip about inappropriate relationship
- Oct. 11: Josh Pate hears rumors after USC loss
- End of October: Dan Patrick learns of the situation via a source
- Months-long coverup: Moore allegedly protected by Manuel for up to four months
- Dec. 10: Shiver presents evidence of inappropriate relationship
- Dec. 10: Moore fired by Manuel alone; no HR or security present
- Dec. 11: Josh Pate questions whether Manuel should lead the next coaching search
Together, these events create a narrative of an athletic department that allegedly knew early, stalled intentionally, and mishandled the final step, all under Manuel’s leadership.
None of the allegations have been confirmed by the university, and Manuel remains in his role, for now
If this momentum holds, Michigan’s next major announcement might not be about who succeeds Sherrone Moore, but who replaces the man who fired him.
