In a shocking turn of events, Sherrone Moore, the head coach of the University of Michigan football team, was dismissed on Wednesday afternoon for allegedly engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Following his firing, Moore was detained by police and is currently being held at the Washtenaw County Jail as part of an ongoing assault investigation.
Earlier on the same day, police were called to the residence of a female Michigan football staff member. Subsequently, officers also arrived at Moore's listed address. The Pittsfield Township Police Department reported that Moore was apprehended in Saline, just a few miles from Ann Arbor, at approximately 4:10 p.m. No formal charges have been filed against him yet, and the investigation remains active, with law enforcement officials yet to release further information.
In a statement regarding the situation, Warde Manuel, the athletic director, confirmed that a university investigation uncovered credible evidence of Moore's inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Manuel stated, “This conduct constitutes a clear violation of University policy, and U-M maintains zero tolerance for such behavior.”
At 39 years old, Moore had just completed his second season as the head coach after serving as an assistant under Jim Harbaugh from 2018 to 2023. During his tenure, the Wolverines achieved a record of 17-8, finishing the latest season with a commendable 9-3. Despite the controversies, Moore was in the process of assembling his coaching staff for the upcoming season, having recently hired veteran assistant Kerry Coombs to lead Michigan’s special teams.
Just two days prior to his dismissal, Moore addressed reporters about Michigan's 2026 signing class and the upcoming bowl game against Texas, indicating optimism about the program's future. “I think we’ve got a really good foundation of where we need to be, but we’ve got a lot to work on,” Moore remarked.
The decision to terminate Moore came swiftly, reportedly triggered by an anonymous tip that led to the investigation into his conduct. Initially, the investigation did not yield evidence of the alleged relationship; however, additional information surfaced within the last 24 hours, prompting his dismissal. Most members of the Michigan coaching staff learned about Moore’s termination during a meeting called by Manuel, while Moore himself was not present.
Moore's firing marks a sudden end to a coaching tenure that had its share of challenges. He took over during a transitional phase for the program following Harbaugh's departure for the NFL. His first season saw the Wolverines start with a 4-3 record, a stark contrast to the previous three years, which saw minimal losses. However, the season concluded positively with a significant win against Ohio State and the signing of Bryce Underwood, the top prospect of the Class of 2025.
This season, however, did not meet expectations, as the Wolverines suffered notable losses, including a blowout by USC and a final game defeat against Ohio State that halted a four-game winning streak in the rivalry. Compounding the challenges faced by Moore was the Connor Stalions sign-stealing investigation, which led to a two-game suspension earlier this season for Moore due to deleted text messages related to the case. Although the NCAA did not strip Michigan of any victories or its national championship, it imposed a hefty fine exceeding $30 million.
Moore was earning an annual salary of $5.6 million in his second year of a five-year contract he signed upon taking over as head coach. While the contract included protections against termination for NCAA violations occurring before his hiring, it also specified various grounds for dismissal, including rule violations and misconduct. As this story develops, further updates regarding the ongoing investigation and its implications for the Michigan football program are anticipated.