The Michigan Wolverines terminated head coach Sherrone Moore with cause on Wednesday due to an investigation finding evidence of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
The Michigan Wolverines made the decision to fire head football coach Sherrone Moore on Wednesday, and he was terminated with cause. Athletic director Warde Manuel released a statement on the firing shared by Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports on X following an investigation that found “credible evidence” of Moore engaging “in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.”
"Sherrone Moore has been terminated, with cause, effective immediately," Manuel said in the statement. "Following a University investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. This conduct constitutes a clear violation of University policy, and UM maintains zero tolerance for such behavior."
Here is the full story from Michigan Roundtable writer Dakota Allen on the stunning firing, how it impacts the program in bowl preparations, and an unexpected coaching search.
Ann Arbor Earthquake: Michigan Fires Sherrone Moore for Cause
University of Michigan sacks head coach Sherrone Moore for cause. A staff member relationship violation fuels this sudden, disruptive dismissal, impacting the team's bowl game.
The Wolverines appointed Biff Poggi as interim head coach effective immediately. Poggi served as interim coach when Moore was suspended for two games as a result of the team’s sign-stealing scandal, and the team went 2-0 against Central Michigan and Nebraska. Michigan improved from an 8-5 finish in Moore’s first season replacing Jim Harbaugh to a 9-3 record this season and a player in the College Football Playoff conversation.
The decision comes just one week after the regular season concluded, and two weeks before the team is set to play Texas in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31. That’s pretty disruptive to the program with this seemingly coming out of nowhere. At least the team has experience being led by Poggi this season. But it’s not immediately clear who they’ll turn to as their next leader.
As it’s a firing for cause, that should have a huge impact on Moore’s nearly $12 million buyout he would have been owed.