Michigan fires Moore for inappropriate relationship with staff member

Michigan fired head coach Sherrone Moore for cause, the school announced Wednesday.

"Head football coach Sherrone Moore has been terminated, with cause, effective immediately. Following a university investigation, credible evidence was found that coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member," Michigan said in a statement, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.

The school's investigation had been underway since at least mid-November, sources told CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz. It was sparked by an anonymous tip, according to The Athletic's Austin Meek. At first, there was no evidence of the inappropriate relationship. However, new information emerged in the past 24 hours and resulted in Moore's dismissal.

Moore was detained by police in Saline, Michigan later on Wednesday. It's still unclear what charges he could be facing.

"The City of Saline Police Department assisted in locating and detaining former University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore," the department told ESPN. "Mr. Moore was turned over to the Pittsfield Township Police Department for investigation into potential charges."

Moore posted a 16-8 record in two full seasons as the Wolverines' head coach, including 7-3 in 2025.

The 39-year-old took over in 2023 after Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL. Moore had been with the Wolverines since 2018, serving as the school's tight ends coach and eventually offensive coordinator for multiple years.

Michigan associate head coach Biff Poggi will become the team's interim head coach. The Wolverines are scheduled to play Texas in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31.

Moore's dismissal adds to one of the most notable coaching cycles in college football history. Sixteen of 68 Power 4 schools will have new head coaches in 2026, notes On3's Brett McMurphy.

The Wolverines' opening instantly becomes the top coaching vacancy in the sport.