Sherrone Moore firing: Warde Manuel confirms decision was for cause after investigation, names Biff Poggi interim

Michigan athletics director Warde Manuel confirmed Sherrone Moore has been fired for cause after a university investigation. Biff Poggi will serve as the interim head coach, effective immediately.

Manuel said an investigation found Moore was allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. As a result, the head coach was in violation of university policy, per a statement. On3’s Pete Nakos also confirmed Wolverines players were abruptly called for a team meeting, where they learned of the news

UM went 9-3 during the regular season, including a 2-0 record with Poggi as acting head coach while Moore served a suspension as the result of a sign-stealing investigation into the program. The Wolverines are set to play against Texas in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

Statement from Warde Manuel:

U-M 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. This…

— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) December 10, 2025

“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 just completed his second season as head coach following Jim Harbaugh’s departure for the Los Angeles Chargers. He had a 16-8 overall record in the full-time role, missing two games this year due to a self-imposed suspension stemming from the sign-stealing scandal.

More on Sherrone Moore’s time at Michigan

Sherrone Moore arrived at Michigan in 2018 as tight ends coach and moved up to co-offensive coordinator in 2021. In 2023, he became the sole offensive coordinator on staff and also served as acting head coach while Harbaugh served a suspension from the Big Ten as the result of a sign-stealing scandal. Michigan went 3-0 during that time and won another game while Harbaugh served a separate suspension.

In 2024, Harbaugh left for the Los Angeles Chargers, which led Michigan to make Moore the full-time head coach. The Wolverines went 8-5 during his first year at the helm, including a victory over Ohio State in “The Game” and a bowl game victory over Alabama to close out the season.

Then, Michigan made a big splash on the recruiting trail by landing Five Star Plus+ quarterback Bryce Underwood, the nation’s No. 1 overall player. He then earned the starting role in 2025 as UM went 9-3, including 6-2 in Big Ten play.

However, Moore missed two of those games due to suspension, which was also part of the sign-stealing investigation into the program. He also received a two-year show cause as the result of the investigation. Poggi served as the acting head coach against Central Michigan and Nebraska, both of which resulted in Michigan victories.