ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan fired football coach Sherron Moore on Wednesday after finding evidence of an “inappropriate relationship with a staff member,” a stunning end to his short, up-and-down tenure that saw the Wolverines step back on the field after winning the national championship.
“This behavior is a clear violation of university policy, and UM has a zero-tolerance policy for such behavior,” said athletics director Warde Manuel.
The announcement did not include any details about the alleged relationship. Moore, who was 8-5 in his rookie season and 9-3 this year, did not return a message seeking comment left by The Associated Press.
The 39-year-old Moore signed a five-year contract last year with a base annual salary of $5.5 million. Under the terms of his deal, the university does not have to buy out the remaining years of Moore’s contract because he was dismissed for cause.
College football’s winningest program soon finds itself suddenly looking for a third coach in four years a busy cycle including Lane Kiffin who left playoff-bound Ole Miss for LSU.
Moore, the team’s former offensive coordinator, joined the program in 20018 and was promoted to lead the Wolverines after they won the 2024 national title, succeeding Jim Harbaugh when he returned to the NFL to lead the Los Angeles Chargers. The Wolverines in 18th place (9-3, 7-2 Big Ten) are about to play No. 14Texas on Dec. 31 at the Citrus Bowl.
Moore was suspended for two games in his sophomore season in 2025 as part of self-imposed sanctions for NCAA violations related to a sign stealing scandal. The NCAA added a third game to the suspension, which would keep Moore off the sidelines for next year’s opener against Western Michigan.
Moore will now miss that game for a different reason.
He previously deleted his entire text string of 52 messages on his personal phone with a former co-worker Connor Stallionswho led the team’s tick sealing operation for the program. The texts were later recovered and shared with the NCAA.
Biff Poggi, who replaced Moore earlier this season when he was suspended, will serve as the team’s interim coach.
