— The University of Michigan has terminated head football coach Sherrone Moore with cause after an external investigative firm concluded he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a member of the football staff. Athletic director Warde Manuel announced the firing Wednesday, saying the conduct violated university policy and that U-M maintains zero tolerance for such behavior. Moore, 39, was dismissed effective immediately; Biff Poggi, his associate head coach, has been named interim head coach as the Wolverines prepare for the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31 in Orlando against Texas.
- Termination date: Dec. 10, 2025 — Moore fired for cause after an outside investigation found evidence of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
- Personnel change: Biff Poggi designated interim head coach; Moore’s role ended immediately ahead of the Citrus Bowl (Michigan vs. Texas, Dec. 31, Orlando).
- Team status: Michigan finished the regular season 9-3 in 2025 and will play in the Citrus Bowl; roster and 2026 recruiting class impacts remain unclear.
- Contract and pay: Moore signed a five-year deal before 2024 that paid him more than $6.1 million for 2025, with a 2% annual increase and a $500,000 retention bonus.
- Prior discipline: Moore previously served suspensions tied to NCAA investigations, including a self-imposed 2023 suspension and a separate three-game suspension plus a two-year show-cause order related to an illegal scouting case.
- Police involvement: Saline police were called to an incident involving Moore later on Dec. 10; details remain limited pending law-enforcement disclosures.
- Governance context: The Board of Regents authorized an external probe after internal review produced inconsistent findings; the regents are also conducting a search for a new university president.
Background
Sherrone Moore became Michigan’s head coach on Jan. 26, 2024, after six seasons on Jim Harbaugh’s staff and rose through roles as tight ends coach, offensive line coach and coordinator. He was the 21st head coach in school history and the program’s first Black head coach. Moore’s ascent followed Michigan’s 2023 national-title season when he served as offensive coordinator.
Moore signed a five-year contract ahead of the 2024 season. The agreement included a base salary that exceeded $6.1 million for the 2025 year, an annual 2% increase and a $500,000 retention bonus. His personal profile includes a wife, Kelli, and three young daughters; the firing therefore carries both professional and private consequences.
The program had faced NCAA scrutiny before. Moore served a one-game self-imposed suspension in 2023 linked to recruiting concerns during a COVID-19 dead period in 2021 and was later disciplined in connection with an illegal scouting investigation involving a former staffer. Those prior episodes shaped expectations about institutional accountability when new allegations surfaced in 2025.
Main Event
On Dec. 10, 2025, Michigan announced that an outside investigative firm engaged by the university had found credible evidence that Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a member of the football staff. Athletic director Warde Manuel issued a statement that said the conduct was a clear violation of university policy and warranted termination for cause.
The Board of Regents authorized the external review after an internal probe produced ambiguous results, according to a source briefed on the matter who was not authorized to speak publicly. That source said the internal review did not find conclusive evidence but raised enough concern to justify an independent examination; the external firm then completed its inquiry earlier in the week.
Following the university announcement, Saline (Mich.) police responded to an unrelated incident involving Moore later the same day, the Saline police chief confirmed to regional media. Authorities have not released charges or formal details; the university’s personnel action stood regardless of any pending law-enforcement developments.
Biff Poggi, who had served as associate head coach and filled in as acting head coach for two games this season while Moore served an NCAA-related self-imposed suspension, was named interim head coach. Michigan entered the Citrus Bowl at 9-3; Moore’s dismissal leaves the program scrambling to stabilize leadership before the Dec. 31 matchup with Texas.
Analysis & Implications
Short-term, the firing forces Michigan to manage a high-profile leadership transition with a bowl game and the signing class in play. Programs routinely see recruiting turbulence and roster uncertainty after abrupt coaching changes; prospective student-athletes and their families often seek reassurances about stability and staff continuity. The timing — between the regular season and a New Year’s bowl game — compresses the window for internal damage control.
Institutionally, the decision highlights the university’s emphasis on conduct standards and reputational risk. The termination clause in Moore’s contract explicitly allows dismissal for conduct that could materially injure the university’s reputation or interests. For the Board of Regents and the athletic department, enforcing policy in a prominent case sends signals about consistency with prior actions, including the 2022 firing of president Mark Schlissel for inappropriate conduct with an employee.
Legally and contractually, firing for cause can limit severance or buyout obligations, but it also invites potential challenges from the coach’s representatives. Moore’s contract enumerates conduct-based termination triggers, including criminal conviction and actions that offend public decency as judged by prevailing community standards. If either side disputes whether the evidence meets the contract’s threshold, litigation or arbitration could follow, prolonging uncertainty.
On the NCAA front, Michigan’s program remains under scrutiny from past recruiting and scouting infractions. Additional personnel upheaval could complicate cooperative remedies or internal compliance efforts. The NCAA’s prior sanctions that led to a show-cause order and suspensions are part of the institutional record that will factor into regulatory and public assessments.
| Season | Record | Notable events |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8-5 | Moore’s 1st season as head coach; bowl win vs. Alabama |
| 2025 | 9-3 | Team qualified for Citrus Bowl; coach terminated Dec. 10 |
The table summarizes public win-loss records and key milestones for Moore’s first two seasons. While on-field performance was strong in 2025, institutional discipline and off-field concerns now dominate the program’s public narrative. Administrators must weigh competitive success against adherence to conduct policies and long-term program stability.
Reactions & Quotes
University leadership moved quickly to frame the action as enforcement of policy and protection of the institution’s integrity.
“U‑M head football coach Sherrone Moore has been terminated, with cause, effective immediately,”
Warde Manuel, Michigan athletic director (university statement)
Manuel’s statement emphasized that credible evidence prompted the decision and reiterated that the university does not tolerate policy violations. He also held a video call with parents of current players to discuss the transition and address immediate concerns about player welfare and preparation.
“We don’t put up with this once we know about it. But it takes some time to verify,”
Source briefed on the matter (unidentified)
The anonymous source described the sequence that led from an internal review to the hiring of an outside investigative firm. The source said the internal probe produced unclear findings, prompting the regents to seek independent verification before acting.
“Biff Poggi will serve as interim head coach while the program prepares for the Citrus Bowl,”
Michigan football memo (athletic department)
The athletic department’s internal memo confirmed Poggi’s interim role and signaled an effort to maintain continuity for players and staff in the run-up to the bowl game. Athletic officials emphasized that support services for athletes would remain in place.
Unconfirmed
- The anonymous source’s claim that the internal investigation found no evidence of an inappropriate relationship is not independently verified by the university; the university has not released the full internal report.
- Specific details of the Saline police response and any potential charges related to the Dec. 10 incident have not been publicly released and remain unresolved.
- The precise impact of the firing on Michigan’s 2026 signed recruits and the current roster is not yet confirmed; recruiting contacts can change quickly after coaching staff moves.
Bottom Line
Michigan’s abrupt dismissal of Sherrone Moore on Dec. 10, 2025, underscores how conduct and reputation can overshadow on-field success. The university acted after an outside probe found evidence of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, and administrators framed the move as enforcement of policy to protect institutional integrity.
In the near term, the program faces questions about bowl preparation, roster morale and the stability of recent recruiting gains. Longer term, the regents and athletic department will need to manage potential legal and contractual disputes, steady the coaching pipeline and reassert compliance measures to limit future vulnerabilities.
For readers tracking this story: expect further developments from the university and local law enforcement, possible statements from Moore’s representatives, and rapid administrative decisions about permanent leadership that will shape Michigan football into the 2026 season.
Sources
- The Detroit News (regional newspaper reporting, original story and quotes)
- University of Michigan Athletics (official athletics department site, program statements and team information)
- NCAA (official governing body, historical sanctions and enforcement context)