Michigan president Kent Syverud will inherit athletic department review

Kent Syverud, a Michigan Law graduate and former Syracuse president, will take office by July 1 while the law firm Jenner & Block completes a review of the university's athletic department.

Kent Syverud has been named president of the University of Michigan and will assume office no later than July 1. He joins the university at a moment when the athletic department is under scrutiny after recent personnel changes and reported legal matters. Syverud has a background in college sports governance and was involved with the College Sports Tomorrow group that proposed structural changes for college football. Key facts: - Kent Syverud will take office by July 1 and has ties to Michigan as an alum and former law school graduate. - The university authorized the law firm Jenner & Block to conduct a broad review of the athletic department; the review is expected to conclude before Syverud begins his presidency. - Recent personnel issues include the firing and later arrest of the former football coach and a separate pending federal case involving a former staff member; related investigations and legal proceedings are ongoing. Summary: Syverud's arrival places decisions about athletic department leadership and governance into his role as president. The Jenner & Block review is expected to inform those decisions and is slated to finish before he takes office. Undetermined at this time are the specific outcomes for the athletic director and department leadership once the review is complete.