RELEASE THE FILES? (w Von Lozon, Maize & Brew) / Michigan Wolverines LIVE 260

Michigan Wolverines LIVE – Episode 260 “RELEASE THE FILES?” (with Von Lozon of Maize & Brew) Hosts: John D’Adamo & TJ Ronin Special guest: Von Lozon (Maize & Brew / SB Nation) Aired on MichiganVOCFB Show Open / Housekeeping Back after a needed week off; Episode 260 presented by FanDuel. Available on YouTube, X, radio, Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and iHeart. Calls for likes, subscribes, shares, and Super Chats. FanDuel picks of the night: Dodgers (–1.5) over Mariners and Phillies moneyline over Marlins. Bet responsibly. Thanks to Freedom Services EPC. Injury / Roster Status Updates (with Von Lozon) John Henry Daly: Back since ~June 1; expected ready for Week 1. Babalola (“Babs”): On track; competing for starting OL job (was trending that way as a freshman). Rod Moore: Most skepticism. Expected back at some point this season (not as iffy as last year), but full health by opener uncertain. Later in the show a Jordan Marshall quote surfaces: Moore is “back,” walking into the weight room saying it’s “the best I ever felt,” with everyone around the program calling him essentially 100%. Secondary depth still strong even without Moore (Snowden at nickel from Utah; Chris Bracey safety from Memphis; Mason Curtis as experienced option). Hosts and guest trust the secondary either way. Main Topic: Ward Manuel Parting Ways & the Jenner & Block Investigation University announced (via interim President Grasso YouTube video + brief outline) that AD Ward Manuel will step down at the end of the calendar year with an ~$7 million buyout + perks. $12 million Jenner & Block “investigation” produced no written report—only a verbal briefing. Michigan released only a controlled “FAQ-style” outline and kept full narrative control. Von Lozon’s take (communications professional + Maize & Brew writer): Announcement strategy was bizarre—low-viewership YouTube channel, vague “nothing crazy happened” messaging. Oral-only report looks deliberate to avoid FOIA and public scrutiny (“Sopranos-style” record-keeping). Redacted written report could easily have been released. Leadership misalignment (Ward previously said he requested the probe; Grasso later claimed credit). Trust eroding among alumni, fans, and Ann Arbor community. Buyout functions as a soft landing + non-disclosure arrangement so Ward stays quiet. Hosts’ view: Findings were almost certainly damaging; Michigan chose the least-transparent path. Broader “swampy” leadership (president, AD, Board of Regents) needs wholesale change. Ward’s earlier resistance to NIL collectives also cost the program competitive ground. Ideal next AD profile (host suggestions): aggressive, proactive operators such as IU’s Scott Dolson, Illinois’ Josh Whitman, or UConn’s David Benedict. Mike Duggan rumor for president dismissed as unrealistic. Season Outlook & Big Ten Media Days Defense: Expected step forward under Whittingham’s trench-first philosophy. Key eyes on Trey Pierce (DT leadership), young LBs Chase Taylor & Nate Owosu-Boateng + Troy Bowles, veteran Nate Staling. Secondary can be excellent. Offense: OL step forward anticipated. Everything hinges on Bryce Underwood taking a clear leap—no more happy feet, locking on one receiver, or risky throws. New dedicated QB coach is a positive. Jason Beck’s scheme includes QB power/runs. Media Days week: Whittingham, Bryce Underwood, and Andrew Marsh making the rounds (including Rich Eisen). Players appear more media-trained; Marsh deflected “how bad was last year?” questions cleanly. Bryce is the first Michigan QB at Media Days since Cade McNamara (JJ never went). Running-back room depth: Hyder & Marshall expected to dominate carries; Kuzdal (starter mentality per coaches) likely 3–5 touches/game in creative packages. True-freshman trench impact is rare but possible (Carter Meadows, Alistair Vallejo, Shamari Rose hype noted). Super Chat / Community Highlights (selected) Rod Moore / Babs / JHD readiness over-unders. Steve Yzerman AD joke → TJ’s Red Wings rebuild frustration. Game-day meetup talk (UCLA November floated). Oregon AD rumor (Phil Knight money makes it unlikely). Notre Dame “St. Jude’s” scheduling jab + Lex Wexner / Epstein / Chase sponsorship rabbit hole (hosts note the hypocrisy of moralizing about Michigan while ignoring OSU donor history). Bubble-route / scissor-concept discussion for third-and-long. Hockey optimism: loaded roster, CHL talent via NIL, possible Natty-or-bust year; Michael H. returning. Basketball would have repeated if Dusty May stayed. Final Michigander $25 bet talk and general Go Blue energy. Closing Appreciation for Von Lozon (10 years at Maize & Brew; site + Out of the Blue podcast + post-game shows). Find him @Vaughn / MaizeandBrew.com. Thursday 8 p.m. ET call-in show with TJ & Johnny Olden Jr. right after Media Days. Mark Rogers live on the main College Football Show channel. Members-only show TBA. Sign-off: “Go Blue… and fuck Ohio.” Overall tone: Candid frustration with Michigan’s leadership opacity, tempered by genuine excitement for Whittingham’s culture, Underwood’s Year 2 leap, and a potentially elite defense if health holds. Two+ hours of free-flowing conversation driven heavily by Super Chats. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.