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 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 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. 

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz finish up the offensive half of their annual position group preview series, taking a look at what to expect from the Wolverines' offensive line in 2026.They open with a look at the strengths of the room, discussing the depth, talent level and even experience of the line after keeping so many players from last season as well as the Jim Harding. They then turn to the questions marks of the room, discussing how they think the starting five will shake out, the room's need to improve its pass-protection and certain players to watch. In the second half of the episode, they look at X-factor players they're watching, discuss the floor and ceiling of the room and break down how they'll define success for the room in 2026.

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz continue their annual position group preview series with an in-depth look at the Wolverines' wide receiver room. The episode is the third of 11 in the series.They open with a look at the strengths of the room, including revamped talent, improved hands and a room more prepared for the season ahead than the prior two seasons. They discuss Michigan's dynamic receiver duo at the top of Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan. They then dive into the question marks of the room, including the battle for the No. 3 wide receiver.In the second half of the episode, they take a look at X-factor players for the room, the room's floor and ceiling for 2026, and how they will measure success for the group this fall.

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz preview the Michigan football team's quarterback room for the 2026 season. The episode is part of their 11-part position preview series, looking at the Wolverines' season ahead.They open with a discussion about the strengths that Bryce Underwood and the rest of the room bring, as well as the biggest question marks the room faces this season. In the second half of the episode, they look at an X-factor player for the room, discuss the group's floor and ceiling and how they will measure success from the room in 2026.

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz break down the top newcomers for Michigan football ahead of the 2026 season, discussing the Wolverines’ key transfers and early-impact freshmen.They open with a look at Michigan's transfer portal class, which includes more than half a dozen projected starters for the Wolverines this fall. They discuss the top-line guys, such as John Henry Daley and JJ Buchanan, underrated impact players like Chris Bracy, Jonah Lea'ea and Trey Butkowski, and sleeper adds like Jaime Ffrench.In the second half of the episode, they try to assess where the freshmen fit in. They set expectations for Savion Hiter, and offer early projections for several Michigan freshmen expected to crack the two-deep this fall.