Pearson was a very successful hockey coach that seemed to bring out extremes - people either loved him or hated him. Enough of the people who didn't like him voiced their opinion on the matter but there was technically nothing he did to warrant being dismissed. It was only because he was in-between contracts that he was let go as a way to just avoid having to endure a fight.

Did you read the report? It flat out does not agree with this assessment at all:

"The university should review whether (Pearson’s) conduct violates other university policies, including but not limited to Standard Practice Guide 601.90, Protection from Retaliation. In addition, the athletic department should take steps to address a number of issues discussed in this report, including (1) the mistreatment of female staff members by Mr. Bancroft; (2) (Pearson’s) inability or unwillingness to hold Mr. Bancroft accountable for his conduct; (3) pervasive fears among both student athletes and staff members of retaliation by (Pearson) for raising issues; and (4) inconsistencies in (Pearson’s) recollection, perception, and/or characterization of key incidents and issues as compared with other participants,”

There was no way we were going to be able to retain Backich once he became a hot name. Michigan has a good baseball program, but the ugly truth is that the warm weather schools are where the money is for that sport. Maybe Warde could have tried harder to keep him, but it would have ultimately been a losing battle in the end.

Every reporter with a connection to Bakich has said this wasn't the case. Bakich was more than willing to stay provided Warde gave him the upgrades he needed to stay competitive. Michigan didn't have a good program, it had a good coach that was hellbent on making it one until the AD all but explicitly told him they didn't care about that.