Updated Feb. 17, 2026, 1:59 p.m. ET
Two months after Michigan football began its search for a new coach, it’s now in need of a new general manager.
The Wolverines parted with GM Sean Magee, who joined the program for a second time in March 2024, a person with knowledge of the situation but not permitted to discuss internal details publicly, confirmed to the Free Press on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Magee, 49, came to Ann Arbor after two years as the chief of staff for the Chicago Bears (2022-23). This was Magee’s second stint in Ann Arbor after spending five years (2017-21) with the program under former coach Jim Harbaugh.
With Michigan the past two years under then-coach Sherrone Moore, Magee was the GM as well as senior associate athletic director, and in charge of recruiting and player personnel. He was also a key cog in the program’s name, image and likeness enterprise.
Magee’s most notable acquisition as GM was landing Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 high school player in the nation in 2025, working behind the scenes with donors and the program’s main NIL collective “Champions Circle” to hand out the largest financial package in any U-M sport to date.
In his first go-round at Michigan under Harbaugh, Magee “provided oversight and direction for the football program in all off-field areas including the management of the player personnel department, football operations and the administration of the budget for all football related activity,” according to his U-M bio. “He additionally served as the program’s NFL liaison.”
Additionally, three others who worked closely with Magee in the recruiting and personnel department are expected to depart: director of player personnel Albert Karschnia, director of on campus recruiting Kayli Johnson and the director of recruiting Sam Popper.
Popper confirmed he has accepted a job as associate GM at San Diego State.
On3’s Pete Nakos first reported the Magee news.
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
[ MUST WATCH: U-M’s biggest week of the regular season is here. Make “Hail Yes!” your go-to Wolverines podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify). ]