The University of Michigan’s athletic department is facing an expanding investigation into the conduct of former football coach Sherrone Moore. A law firm engaged by the university to probe Moore’s relationship with a staffer is prepared to broaden its inquiry to encompass the entire athletic department, according to sources with direct knowledge of the situation. These individuals, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to their inability to authorize public comment, revealed the ongoing nature and potential scope of the investigation.
Moore was terminated by Michigan on Wednesday, with the university citing an investigation that uncovered an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Moore, 39, is married and has three daughters.
The situation escalated significantly when prosecutors announced on Friday that Moore had been charged with three criminal offenses. These charges stem from an alleged incident where he reportedly “barged his way” into the apartment of a woman with whom he was having an affair and subsequently threatened to end his own life.
Sources familiar with the matter indicated that Athletic Director Warde Manuel had addressed the school’s board during the football season regarding Moore. At that time, Manuel stated he had inquired with both Moore and the staffer about the nature of their relationship, and both had denied any romantic involvement. Manuel also reportedly informed the board that he had reviewed hundreds of text messages and emails exchanged between Moore and the woman on their university-issued devices and had not found any evidence of inappropriate conduct.
Following these initial inquiries, the university retained a law firm to conduct a more thorough investigation. The firm commenced its work on campus on Monday, the same day the staffer did not report for work. According to the same sources, the woman’s attorney met with the law firm on Tuesday. The following day, Wednesday, the woman reportedly provided evidence of her relationship with Moore, leading directly to Manuel’s decision to fire Moore. Notably, the termination occurred without the immediate presence of human resources personnel or campus police.
This internal investigation was not the first indication of concerns regarding Moore’s behavior. Well before Manuel’s personal inquiry and the subsequent engagement of the law firm, a social media influencer from outside Michigan had contacted the university to voice concerns about Moore’s conduct, as confirmed by two individuals aware of the situation.
Moore is currently facing serious charges, including felony home invasion and stalking.
Kati Rezmierski, a prosecutor for Washtenaw County, confirmed that Moore and the staffer had been engaged in an affair that had lasted “for a number of years” before she ended the relationship on Monday. Rezmierski stated that Moore had made repeated attempts to contact the woman via phone calls and text messages after the breakup, but she had refused to respond.
The prosecutor further detailed the events that led to the criminal charges. Shortly after losing his coaching position, Moore allegedly entered the woman’s apartment without permission. Rezmierski described how Moore then proceeded to a kitchen drawer, retrieved several butter knives and a pair of kitchen scissors, and began to threaten his own life.
Rezmierski quoted Moore as saying to the woman, “I’m going to kill myself. I’m going to make you watch. My blood is on your hands. You’ve ruined my life.”
Moore has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. He was released from jail after posting a $25,000 bond. In court, Moore spoke minimally, primarily acknowledging the judge’s orders, which include a mandate for no contact with the woman and other conditions.
His defense attorney, Joe Simon, stated that Moore would “absolutely comply” with the judge’s directive for an additional evaluation. The conditions of his release also require Moore to wear a GPS tracking device, remain within the state of Michigan, and abstain from alcohol. The next court hearing in the case is scheduled for January 22.
Last year, Moore signed a five-year contract with a base annual salary of $5.5 million. However, under the terms of his agreement, the university is not obligated to provide a buyout for the remaining years of his contract due to his termination for cause.
The No. 18-ranked Michigan Wolverines are scheduled to play No. 14 Texas in the Citrus Bowl on December 31. Biff Poggi, who previously served as interim coach when Moore was suspended earlier this season in connection with a sign-stealing scandal from the Jim Harbaugh era, will again step in as interim head coach.
The university is actively engaged in a search for a new head coach, with the goal of making a hire this month. This timeline is intended to help retain current recruits and provide the existing players with sufficient confidence in the program’s future to discourage them from entering the transfer portal in the coming month.
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