India, July 13 -- Former footballer Warde Manuel, who is the reigning Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics at the University of Michigan, has reportedly been fired by the university. As of now, there is no confirmation from Michigan Athletics about Manuel's departure.

Manuel has been a controversial figure atop the Michigan athletics administration, to say the least. In his 10-year tenure at Michigan, which started in 2016, several controversies have gripped the Michigan Athletics programs over the years. It has put Manuel's role under the scanner, leading many Michigan faithful to call for his firing from the program.

But those demands were not heeded, even after the controversy surrounding former Michigan football coach Sherrone M...