Sherrone Moore firing: Alarming new details emerge in Michigan parting ways with ex-coach

Michigan‘s administration had reportedly been alerted that now-former head football coach Sherrone Moore was “dealing with mental health issues” prior to his Wednesday firing, yet Wolverines athletic director Warde Manuel still fired him alone without the presence of a human resources representative or security, according to NBC Sports’ Nicole Auerbach.

Things unraveled following his dismissal and Moore was susequently placed in “protective custody” by mental health professionals following his arrest Wednesday evening, according to ClickOnDetroit.com. The 39-year-old Moore was arrested Wednesday night following an alleged assault involving an unnamed woman who called Pittsfield Township police claiming Moore was “in the house attacking her” and “has been stalking her for months,” according to dispatch audio released by TMZ. Moore ended up spending Wednesday night in the Washtenaw County Jail and is expected to remain in custody until his Friday arraignment, according to local officials.

“This investigation is ongoing and under review by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor,” Pittsfield Township police told ESPN. “The suspect remains in custody at the Washtenaw County Jail and is expected to appear in court for arraignment on 12/12/25.”

Report: Michigan AD Warde Manuel’s status with school ‘being discussed’ by Board of Regents

Longtime Michigan newspaper journalist John Bacon reported Warde’s status as the Wolverines’ AD could be in doubt as the school’s Board of Regents reportedly weighs his future following Moore’s shocking firing Wednesday.

“Michigan will likely have to recruit a new coach with an interim president and an athletic director whose status is currently being discussed by the Regents,” Bacon posted Thursday morning. “I’m not sure if that uncertainty would scare a top candidate away, but it could.”

This came after a previous report from Bacon indicating there is “strong reason to believe Michigan’s Board of Regents will be assessing Warde Manuel’s role in this, and his future at U-M.”

Warde announced Moore’s firing for cause due to an inappropriate relationship with team staff member that was uncovered following an internal investigation in a statement released earlier Wednesday.

“U-M head football coach Sherrone Moore has been terminated, with cause, effective immediately,” Manuel said in a statement. “Following a University investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. This conduct constitutes a clear violation of University policy, and U-M maintains zero tolerance for such behavior. Biff Poggi has been appointed head football coach in an interim capacity, effective immediately.”

Moore’s firing and the questionable way it went down is just the lastest scandal involving the Michigan athletics department, and specifically the football program. Moore was suspended two games this past season and was scheduled to serve a one-game suspension in 2026 as a result of serious sanctions levied by the NCAA following a two-year investigation into the sign-stealing saga involving former Wolverines staffer Connor Stalions that went down under Moore’s head coaching predecessor, Jim Harbaugh.

— On3’s Sam Gillenwater contributed to this report.