In a dramatic turn of events, the University of Michigan announced that it will conduct a thorough “evaluation of culture” within its athletic department following the firing and arrest of football coach Sherrone Moore.
The Shock of Moore’s Firing and Arrest
Interim university president Domenico Grasso released a 3 1/2‑minute video address on Wednesday. The video came a day after the university terminated Moore’s employment on Dec. 10, citing an alleged “inappropriate relationship” with a staff member. Hours later, police arrested Moore after he broke into his former lover’s home, threatened to kill himself, and told her that his “blood is on your hands,” prosecutors said.
Grasso began his address by saying, “This past week has been a difficult one for the University of Michigan.” He went on to emphasize the university’s commitment to a campus culture of respect, integrity and excellence. He added, “That is why we took decisive action last week to terminate the employment of coach Moore and we are continuing the investigation of coach Moore’s actions to uncover any additional germane, material information and to assess whether there may be related misconduct by others.”
Expanding the Investigation
The university has hired the law firm Jenner & Block to investigate the incident. Grasso noted that the firm’s assignment has been expanded to include an independent evaluation of culture, conduct and procedures throughout the athletics department. He also said, “In parallel, we are committed to strengthening the functional capacity of our university wide ethics, integrity and compliance office within the department of intercollegiate athletics.”
While Grasso’s address did not name any other alleged misconduct beyond Moore’s, he acknowledged that the firing and arrest were part of a string of recent, embarrassing incidents that have rocked the Wolverines.
A History of Controversy
- Matthew Weiss – Former assistant football coach Matthew Weiss was indicted and accused of breaking into the digital accounts of 3,300 students to download their intimate photos and videos, federal prosecutors said on Mar. 30.
- Jim Harbaugh – The Wolverines’ head coach was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers two weeks after the team won the national title. The NCAA announced in Aug. that Harbaugh would be banned from working in college sports until 2028 over “unethical conduct” in recruiting. He later received a 10‑year ban for sign‑stealing, removing him from any NCAA roles until 2038.
- Juwan Howard – Basketball coach Juwan Howard was suspended after taking a post‑game swing at Wisconsin assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft on Feb. 20, 2022. He was not fired until Mar. 2024 following an 8‑24 campaign.
The Wolverines’ 2023 season finished with a 9‑3 overall record and a 7‑2 mark in the Big Ten under Moore’s leadership.
Moving Forward
With interim coach Biff Poggi now at the helm, Michigan will face Texas in the Cheez‑It Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31. Grasso said, “This is, no doubt, a challenging time for our community.” He added, “I understand the anger and disillusionment that many in our community may be experiencing but our core values and principles will be embodied in how we respond to these challenges and will reflect our character.”
In the wake of the investigation, Grasso also outlined the university’s approach to hiring a new head football coach. He stated, “As we conduct our search for our next head football coach, we intend to hire an individual who can and will instill that spirit and who will represent the highest values that our university holds dear.” He added, “We will hire an individual who is of the highest moral character and who will serve as a role model and respected leader for the entire football program, and who will, with dignity and integrity, be a fierce competitor.”
Key Takeaways
- The University of Michigan is launching a comprehensive culture review after Sherrone Moore’s firing and arrest.
- Jenner & Block has been tasked with an independent evaluation of the athletics department’s conduct and procedures.
- The university is also strengthening its ethics, integrity and compliance office within intercollegiate athletics.
- A series of past controversies— from Matthew Weiss’s digital‑account intrusion to Jim Harbaugh’s recruiting and sign‑stealing bans— underscore a broader pattern of misconduct.
- Michigan’s next head coach will be selected with a focus on moral character, leadership, and competitive spirit.
The university’s commitment to a respectful and ethical culture remains its guiding principle as it navigates these challenging times.
