Michigan football fired coach Sherrone Moore for cause on Wednesday, Dec. 10, the school announced.
‘Following a University investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member,’ Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel wrote in a statement. ‘This conduct constitutes a clear violation of University policy, and U-M maintains zero tolerance for such behavior.’
Moore just finished his second season after taking over for Jim Harbaugh, who left the Wolverines for the Los Angeles Chargers after winning the national championship. Moore went 18-8 as head coach and led Michigan to a 9-3 finish in 2025, ending the regular season with a No. 18 ranking in the College Football Playoff poll.
It’s unfortunate timing for Michigan with the coaching carousel coming to an end. The Wolverines could potentially have limited options, with each Power Four job currently filled and multiple big-name coaches having signed extensions at their current schools.
Moore was accused of deleting text messages with former Michigan analyst Connor Stalions, who choreographed the program’s sign-stealing scandal. It resulted in Moore being suspended for three games – two in 2025 and another to be served in 2026. Moore previously served a self-imposed one-game suspension in 2023 for his involvement in recruiting violations unrelated to the sign-stealing saga.
The 39-year-old coach started his Michigan tenure as tight ends coach in 2018 before being promoted to co-offensive coordinator, a role he served from 2021-22. He was then promoted to offensive coordinator in 2023, when he called plays for the Wolverines’ undefeated national championship squad.
Moore started his career as an assistant at Louisville after his playing career ended at Oklahoma, where he was a backup offensive lineman. He also coached at Central Michigan before being hired at Michigan.
Michigan will face Texas in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Following Michigan’s dismissal of Moore, reports surfaced that he had been detained by police. According to a report from the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, it is uncertain why he was detained.
(This story was updated to add a video.)