Report: Michigan commissions full investigation into practices and culture of athletic department

According to ESPN, Michigan is set to investigate its own athletic department on the back of multiple scandals involving the football program. This comes days after head coach Sherrone Moore was fired for cause, reportedly having an inappropriate relationship with someone on staff.

“The University of Michigan has commissioned a full investigation into the practices and culture of its athletic department, centering on how numerous scandals have both occurred and been handled in recent years, a source told ESPN,” ESPN said in its report. “The firing of football coach Sherrone Moore this week will be a particular focus.

“The investigation will be handled by Jenner & Block, a Chicago-based law firm that has done business with the school in recent years, including conducting the investigation into whether Moore had an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.”

Moore’s firing is the second major scandal involving the football team in recent years. Connor Stalions and the sign-stealing under Jim Harbaugh turned into national news, especially as Michigan went on to win a national championship. A resolution, which included a suspension for Moore, came from the NCAA earlier this season.

Now, there is a coaching search currently taking place in Ann Arbor. Moore is also about to go through the legal process after being charged with home invasion in the third degree, stalking, and breaking and entering. A bond of $25,000 was posted on Friday, per Washtenaw County Jail records.

According to prosecutors, Moore was unarmed when he allegedly entered the residence through an unlocked door without permission. Authorities say a verbal confrontation ensued and escalated. Prosecutors allege Moore retrieved knives and scissors from a drawer and threatened to harm himself, telling the woman involved that “my blood is on your hands.”

Court filings indicate Moore left the residence after the woman contacted her attorney and said she would call the police. Prosecutors described the victim as having been “terrorized” by the encounter.

Michigan finished the 2025 season with a 9-3 record, including the first loss to Ohio State in four years in the finale. A bowl game is still set to take place, heading to Orlando for the Citrus Bowl, facing a familiar opponent in the Texas Longhorns. Biff Poggi is set to be the interim head coach throughout the process, a role he also occupied earlier in the season when Moore was serving a suspension.

On3’s Steve Samra contributed to this report