Michigan fires Sherone Moore for ‘inappropriate relationship’
Michigan announced in a statement that coach Moore was fired due to an “inappropriate relationship with a staff member.”
- Michigan State football coach Sherone Moore was fired on Dec. 10 and arrested in connection with an assault investigation.
- The university announced that Moore was terminated for cause following an investigation into his inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
- Moore remained in jail as of late Dec. 11, pending formal criminal charges and an expected court arraignment.
Sherrone Moore, who was fired as Michigan’s football coach on Dec. 10, remained in an Ann Arbor-area jail late Dec. 11 pending formal criminal charges related to an assault investigation by the Pittsfield Township Police Department.
Michigan State announced Moore’s firing in a statement at 4:43 p.m. ET on Dec. 10, minutes after police reported Moore was taken into custody following a 4:10 p.m. “alleged assault” call. Moore was arrested that night and booked into the Washtenaw County Jail, where he remained as of 11 p.m., according to jail records.
As of late Dec. 11, no criminal charges had been filed against Moore. Moore is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on Dec. 12, according to Pittsfield Township Police.
The university said in a statement that Moore was fired for cause after an investigation found “credible evidence” that he “had an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.”
On Dec. 11, Michigan State Interim President Domenico Grasso addressed the firing of 39-year-old Moore in a letter to faculty, staff, and students, saying the coach was “immediately terminated” when his alleged conduct became known.
“This behavior by the University of Michigan will never be tolerated. No one will tolerate it,” Grasso said. “I have been in close contact with the board and am committed to doing the right thing.”
Grasso said the university’s investigation into the allegations is ongoing.
Moore led the University of Michigan to a 17-8 record in his two seasons leading the program, including 1-0 as interim coach in 2023. The 9-3 Wolverines will be replaced by interim coach Biff Poggi ahead of their scheduled game against No. 14 Texas in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31.
USA TODAY Sports will bring you live updates and developments regarding Moore. follow me:
always east
In general, Washtenaw County prosecutors and law enforcement could detain recently fired University of Michigan coach Sherrone Moore for 48 to 72 hours without formal criminal charges.
Law enforcement officials have told the media they expect Moore to be arraigned on Friday, Dec. 12, but Bloomfield Hills criminal defense attorney John Freeman said 72 hours is typically the maximum amount of time a criminal case can be tried without charges.
— Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press
As of 7 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12, the online court system that Washtenaw County uses to track cases did not contain information about any hearings or charges that may involve Moore. However, the Pittsfield Township Police Department said in a statement Thursday, Dec. 11, that it expects Moore to appear in court Friday.
The University of Michigan has been down this path before. In 2020, he was the university’s president. In 2022, he will become university president. Head football coach in 2025.
All were accused of inappropriate conduct involving other people at the university. And now the university is using a law firm to investigate football coach Sherone Moore. This was the same law firm that assisted university president Mark Schlissel in his investigation just a few years ago.
The university has not said which policy Moore is alleged to have violated, but it appears to be Policy No. 201.97, which was introduced in response to the sexual harassment scandal involving former president Martin Philbert, the school’s second-highest administrator. The policy prohibits most supervisor-employee relationships and was implemented in 2021, just before Schlissel was fired in early 2022.
Almost four years later, Michigan State is back in action with Moore.
– Brent Schrotenboer
The collapse of the University of Michigan’s roster has begun.
Matt Ludwig, a four-star tight end from Montana State, has been granted release from his signed National Letter of Intent. The 6-4, 220-pound athlete from Billings West, Mont., was considered the No. 1 player in the state of Montana, the No. 12 tight end in the country and a top-250 recruit in the 2026 class, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
Billings West High School coach Rob Stanton told USA TODAY Sports, “The principal bought him a cap and gown and they just rushed (the ceremony) in the hallway. And about 20 minutes later (Ludwig’s) phone exploded.”
— Josh Peter
USA TODAY’s Dec. 11 live update covered Moore’s potential arraignment date, recruits’ reactions to the dismissal, a statement from university interim president Domenico Grasso, and more. Check here for the latest information on December 11th.
