Sherrone Moore’s tenure with the Michigan athletic program has abruptly concluded.
The university dismissed their head football coach on Wednesday afternoon. The institution cited a specific reason for Moore’s termination, stating that an investigation revealed he had “been involved in an unsuitable relationship with a team employee.” Additional details about this relationship or the investigation’s commencement date remain undisclosed.
“Michigan’s lead football coach, Sherrone Moore, has been relieved of his duties immediately and for a stated cause,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel declared in an official statement. “Subsequent to a campus inquiry, reliable information confirmed that Coach Moore had participated in an improper association with an employee.”
“Such actions represent a clear breach of institutional guidelines, and the University of Michigan upholds a strict no-tolerance stance regarding such conduct.”
Reports from ESPN’s Dan Wetzel indicate that Moore was subsequently taken into custody by law enforcement in Saline, Michigan, located just south of Ann Arbor, on Wednesday evening. He was later transferred to Pittsfield Township police for an inquiry into possible allegations.
As per Tony Paul of The Detroit News, an event occurred on Wednesday “necessitating police intervention.” The precise nature of this occurrence, or the specific charges Moore might encounter if formally apprehended, is currently unknown. He remained in police custody by 8:30 PM ET.
Sherrone Moore has been dismissed for specific reasons after two seasons leading the Wolverines. (AP/Ryan Sun)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Michigan appointed associate head coach Biff Poggi to serve as the squad’s temporary coach. Poggi, who previously held a head coaching position at Charlotte, had also acted as the team’s interim leader earlier this year during Moore’s two-game suspension following the sign-stealing controversy.
Moore, aged 39, initially joined Michigan’s staff prior to the 2018 season as the tight ends coach. He functioned as the Wolverines’ offensive coordinator during their undefeated national championship campaign in the 2023 season, and subsequently advanced to succeed Jim Harbaugh when Harbaugh departed for the head coaching role with the Los Angeles Chargers. This promotion established Moore as Michigan’s inaugural Black full-time head coach.
Moore concluded his leadership of the Wolverines with an 18-8 record. The team achieved an 8-5 record in his initial season and just completed a 9-3 season recently. He secured victories in his first two encounters against Ohio State in their rivalry, one of which occurred in 2023 while he was acting as interim head coach during Harbaugh’s suspension. Ohio State defeated Michigan 27-9 last month. Michigan is scheduled to compete against Texas in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl later this month.
Moore retained three years on his original five-year contract with Michigan. USA Today reported that Michigan compensated Moore approximately $6.1 million for the 2025 season. His termination clause earlier this month was valued at nearly $14 million. However, due to the university’s dismissal “for cause,” the Wolverines will not be obligated to pay Moore’s buyout.
Michigan will promptly commence the search for a permanent successor to Moore, although this quest follows a highly tumultuous coaching period across college football. The Wolverines currently stand as the sole Big Ten institution lacking a head coach, given that Penn State recently appointed Matt Campbell, Michigan State brought on Pat Fitzgerald, and UCLA selected Bob Chesney within the past month.
