News of University of Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore’s abrupt firing was reportedly shared with staff and players in a team meeting.
According to an article published by The Athletic on Thursday, December 11, most of the University of Michigan players and staff members were told of Moore’s dismissal by Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel at the meeting. Moore, 39, did not attend the gathering, which was held on Wednesday, December 10, per the outlet.
The college football world was left in shock on Wednesday when the University of Michigan fired Moore following allegations he engaged in an “inappropriate” relationship with a staff member.
“U-M head football coach Sherrone Moore has been terminated, with cause, effective immediately,” Manuel announced in a press release.
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“Following a University investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member,” the statement continued.“This conduct constitutes a clear violation of University policy, and U-M maintains zero tolerance for such behavior.”
Moore has been married to his wife, Kelli Moore, since 2015. The couple have three daughters together: Shiloh, Solei and Sadie.
After losing his high-profile job, Moore had been detained by authorities as the result of an assault investigation. He was taken into custody just minutes before news of his termination was publicly announced.
The Pittsfield Police Department confirmed via a press release that it had responded to an address on the 3000 block of Ann Arbor-Saline Road at 4:10 p.m. on Wednesday “for the purposes of investigating an alleged assault.”
The statement continued, “The incident does not appear to be random in nature, and there appears to be no ongoing threat to the community.”
According to online court records, Moore was booked at the Washtenaw County Jail at 8:30 p.m.
“At this time, the investigation is ongoing,” the Pittsfield Police Department said. “Given the nature of the allegations, the need to maintain the integrity of the investigation, and its current status at this time, we are prohibited from releasing additional details. Further details regarding the incident will be released as soon as possible.”
Michigan first investigated Moore and the staff member over the summer. However, both Moore and the staff member denied having a personal relationship, according to Michigan journalist John U. Bacon, who appeared on Good Day Detroit on Thursday.
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The staff member reportedly then “brought receipts” about the relationship to the Michigan administration on Wednesday morning.
Bacon reported that “the receipts” included “the text messages, the emails, documents and so on, laying out the details of their relationship and the conflicts thereof.”
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday, there was speculation about the nature prior to Moore’s dismissal. He reported there were “lots of whispers and speculations about various gossipy, salacious items” in the weeks leading up to Moore’s firing. However, the university had no proof of any wrongdoing.
“But, if the school is going to take a step on Wednesday that it did, and announce that it is firing Sherrone Moore for cause, and saying he had an inappropriate relationship with a staffer, then, clearly, something this week developed that the school felt like it had irrefutable evidence, and was left with no other choice,” Schefter added.
Prior to losing his job, Moore was in his second season as the Wolverines’ head coach after taking over from his predecessor, Jim Harbaugh, in 2024. Moore previously served on Harbaugh’s coaching staff.
Moore had three years remaining on his contract, which was worth more than $6 million per year. The university fired Moore “for cause.”