By Austin Meek and Zach Powell
Dec. 10, 2025
Updated 5:22 pm EST
-The Athletic
Michigan fired football coach Sherrone Moore for cause Wednesday, citing an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
“Following a university investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member,” athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement. “This conduct constitutes a clear violation of University policy, and U-M maintains zero tolerance for such behavior.”
Moore just completed his second season as head coach after serving as an assistant coach on Jim Harbaugh’s staff from 2018-2023. The Wolverines were 17-8 during his tenure, including a 9-3 finish this season.
Moore was suspended two games earlier this season for deleting text messages he exchanged with Connor Stalions, the central figure in the NCAA’s sign-stealing investigation. Biff Poggi filled in for Moore during his suspension and will be Michigan’s coach in the Citrus Bowl against Texas on Dec. 31.
A source briefed on the decision said the school received an anonymous tip regarding the inappropriate relationship, prompting the investigation. Moore was fired two days after meeting with reporters to discuss Michigan’s 2026 signing class and the bowl matchup against Texas. The investigation initially did not produce evidence of the relationship, the source said, but additional evidence came to light in the last 24 hours that led to Moore’s dismissal.
According to a team source, most of Michigan’s staff found out the news when Ward broke it to the team during a meeting. Sherrone was in the building Wednesday but was not at that team meeting, according to the source.
“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 said.
Dec. 10, 2025
Updated 5:22 pm EST
-The Athletic
Michigan fired football coach Sherrone Moore for cause Wednesday, citing an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
“Following a university investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member,” athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement. “This conduct constitutes a clear violation of University policy, and U-M maintains zero tolerance for such behavior.”
Moore just completed his second season as head coach after serving as an assistant coach on Jim Harbaugh’s staff from 2018-2023. The Wolverines were 17-8 during his tenure, including a 9-3 finish this season.
Moore was suspended two games earlier this season for deleting text messages he exchanged with Connor Stalions, the central figure in the NCAA’s sign-stealing investigation. Biff Poggi filled in for Moore during his suspension and will be Michigan’s coach in the Citrus Bowl against Texas on Dec. 31.
A source briefed on the decision said the school received an anonymous tip regarding the inappropriate relationship, prompting the investigation. Moore was fired two days after meeting with reporters to discuss Michigan’s 2026 signing class and the bowl matchup against Texas. The investigation initially did not produce evidence of the relationship, the source said, but additional evidence came to light in the last 24 hours that led to Moore’s dismissal.
According to a team source, most of Michigan’s staff found out the news when Ward broke it to the team during a meeting. Sherrone was in the building Wednesday but was not at that team meeting, according to the source.
“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 said.
