The Michigan Wolverines football program, one of college football’s most storied institutions, was thrown into turmoil on December 10, 2025, as head coach Sherrone Moore was fired for cause following a university investigation that found credible evidence he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. The dramatic turn of events escalated within hours, as Moore, 39, was taken into police custody and booked into the Washtenaw County Jail, pending review of charges related to an alleged assault in Pittsfield Township, just outside Ann Arbor.
According to a statement released by the Pittsfield Township Police Department, officers responded to the 3000 block of Ann Arbor Saline Road at approximately 4:10 p.m. local time to investigate an alleged assault. "A suspect in this case was taken into custody. This incident does not appear to be random in nature, and there appears to be no ongoing threat to the community," the department stated. The suspect, later confirmed through multiple reports as Moore, was lodged at the Washtenaw County Jail as of 10:11 p.m. ET. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have withheld further details to maintain the integrity of the case. Charges are currently pending review by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor.
Earlier in the day, the Saline Police Department, from a neighboring town, reported assisting in locating and detaining Moore before transferring him to Pittsfield Township police. The swift sequence of events left the Michigan football community reeling, as news of Moore’s firing and subsequent arrest dominated headlines across the nation.
The University of Michigan made the decision to terminate Moore’s employment with cause, effective immediately. Athletic director Warde Manuel addressed the situation in a public statement posted to social media, declaring, "This conduct constitutes a clear violation of University policy, and U-M maintains zero tolerance for such behavior." The university’s internal investigation, which led to the firing, concluded that Moore had engaged in a relationship with a staff member that breached institutional guidelines. Details of the relationship were not disclosed, but the university said the evidence was credible and decisive.
Moore’s abrupt departure comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Wolverines, who finished the regular season with a 9-3 record, securing the No. 18 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings. The team is scheduled to face No. 13 Texas in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on December 31, 2025, in Orlando—a matchup that had already generated significant anticipation among fans and pundits. In the wake of Moore’s firing, Biff Poggi, who previously served as associate head coach and returned to the Michigan staff in 2025 after a stint as head coach at Charlotte, was named interim head coach. Poggi is tasked with steadying the Wolverines as they prepare for their high-profile bowl appearance.
The saga marks a stunning fall for Moore, who was once regarded as a rising star in the coaching ranks. He became the first Black head coach in Michigan football history in 2024, succeeding Jim Harbaugh, who left to take over the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL after leading Michigan to a national championship in the 2023 season. Moore’s tenure began with high hopes, and he quickly compiled a 16-8 record over two seasons at the helm.
However, Moore’s time in Ann Arbor was not without controversy. Earlier in the 2025 season, he served a two-game suspension related to the NCAA’s investigation into a sign-stealing scandal involving former staffer Connor Stalions. The scandal had already cast a shadow over the program, prompting internal reviews and NCAA scrutiny. Moore’s suspension was part of self-imposed sanctions, and the NCAA had added an additional game to the penalty, which would have kept Moore off the sideline for the 2026 opener had he remained in his position. According to reporting, Moore had deleted a 52-message text thread with Stalions from his phone, but the messages were later recovered and shared with the NCAA.
Moore’s path to the Michigan head coaching job was marked by persistence and a steady climb through the coaching ranks. Originally from Derby, Kansas, Moore didn’t begin playing football until his junior year of high school. He played at Butler County Community College and later as an offensive lineman at Oklahoma under coach Bob Stoops. Moore’s coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Louisville, followed by stints at Central Michigan and eventually Michigan, where he was hired by Harbaugh in 2018 as tight ends coach. He was promoted to offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator in 2021, contributing to Michigan’s resurgence and eventual national title run.
During the 2023 season, Moore filled in as acting head coach on multiple occasions while Harbaugh served suspensions for recruiting violations and the sign-stealing investigation. Moore’s leadership in those critical games, including victories over Penn State, Maryland, and a dramatic win against No. 2 Ohio State, helped cement his reputation as a capable leader. After Harbaugh’s departure, Moore was promoted to the top job—a move that was hailed as both historic and promising for Michigan’s future.
Yet, the last two years have been turbulent for the Wolverines. After a national championship in 2023, the program faced mounting pressure from NCAA investigations and internal challenges. Moore’s firing now means Michigan will be searching for its third head coach in just four years—a remarkable turnover for a program with such a rich tradition. The university’s decision to terminate Moore with cause also means it will not be required to buy out the remaining years of his five-year, $5.5 million annual contract, signed prior to the 2024 season.
Moore’s personal life has also come under scrutiny. He is married with three young daughters, and the allegations have left many in the Michigan community shocked and saddened. Moore did not respond to requests for comment from the Associated Press.
The Wolverines’ immediate focus now shifts to the upcoming Citrus Bowl matchup with Texas. Interim head coach Biff Poggi will be under the spotlight as he seeks to rally the team and maintain a sense of stability in the face of adversity. Meanwhile, Michigan’s administration and fans alike are left to ponder the future of the program and the lessons learned from a tumultuous period in its history.
With the investigation into Moore’s alleged assault ongoing and the football team preparing for a marquee bowl game under new leadership, the eyes of the college football world remain firmly fixed on Ann Arbor. How the Wolverines respond on and off the field in the coming weeks could shape the program’s trajectory for years to come.
For now, Michigan’s quest for redemption continues, with more questions than answers as the saga surrounding Sherrone Moore unfolds.
