The Michigan Insider

In an exclusive, wide-ranging conversation with The Michigan Insider's Sam Webb, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel opens up about his decision to step down after more than a decade leading the athletic department, explaining why he came to believe the timing was right both for himself and for the university. Manuel reflects candidly on a tenure he says he leaves with his “head held high,” pointing to an unprecedented stretch of championship success, record-setting academic achievement, major facility investments and the growth of one of the largest athletic departments in the country, while also acknowledging the difficult decisions, controversies and lessons that shaped his evolution as a leader. He discusses what he hopes his legacy will be after 21 years as an athletic director and 11 years at Michigan, why he believes the next AD will inherit a strong organization rather than a rebuilding project, and the advice he would give his successor about navigating the complex alignment between the athletic department, university president and Board of Regents. Manuel also makes clear that his work at Michigan is not finished, detailing his priorities over the remaining months of his tenure as the department confronts rising costs, revenue sharing, corporate sponsorship and the rapidly changing economics of college sports. And while he has not yet decided exactly what comes next, Manuel says retirement is not his mindset at age 58, revealing that he still wants to contribute as a leader in athletics—college, professional or otherwise—while also looking forward to more time with his wife, family and a life beyond the all-consuming demands of the Michigan AD chair.

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz conclude their 10-part position group preview series, looking at what to expect from the Michigan football team's special teams unit in the 2026 season.
They open with a look at the strengths of the room, including on-paper consistency, an upgrade in coaching and punting and the value of transfer portal. They then turn to discuss the biggest question marks facing the room, particularly at the new coaching philosophy and decisions looming in the return game.
In the second half of the episode, they look at X-factors for the room, the floor and ceiling for Michigan's special teams this fall, and how success will be defined for the room in 2026.

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz continue their position group preview series by looking at what the Michigan football team's defensive backfield has in store for the 2026 season.
They open the episode with a look at the strengths of the room, including several seasoned veterans, experience at all positions and and athletic secondary across the board. They then turn to the biggest question marks facing the room, including Rod Moore's return to game action and the depth of the room.
In the second half of the episode, they break down their X-factor players of the room, the floor and ceiling for the room this fall, and how they will define success for the room in 2026.

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz continue their position group preview series by looking at the Michigan football team's linebacker room.
They open with a look at the strengths and question marks of the room, as they try to make sense of a position group that lost its top four players from last season, and did not add a true sure-thing player though the transfer portal this offseason. Nonetheless, they examine the top four linebackers in the room, and what they can bring in 2026.
In the second half of the episode, they look at two x-factor players for the room, the floor and ceiling for the position group, and how they will measure success for the Wolverines' linebackers in 2026.

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz continue their annual position group preview series with a look at the Michigan football team’s edge room.
They open with a discussion of the room’s biggest strengths, including a potential All-American and one of the higher-ceiling rooms on the team. They then look at question marks for the group, including the battle for the No. 4 spot in the rotation and the Wolverines’ effort to turn developmental prospects into stars.
In the second half of the episode, they look at X-factors for the room, the group’s floor and ceiling for this fall, and how success should be measured for the edge room.