Hours after the University of Michigan fired Sherrone Moore as head football coach, alleging he had an “inappropriate relationship” with a staff member, he was in jail, according to booking records.
Earlier Wednesday, athletic director Warde Manuel announced in a statement that 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 conduct constitutes a clear violation of University policy, and UM maintains zero tolerance for such behavior,” the statement continued.
ESPN first reported that Moore had been detained. Following an inquiry about that report, Pittsfield Township police sent a news release about an assault investigation. The release does not name Moore.
The department said that it responded to investigate an allegation of assault at 4:10 p.m. Wednesday and that a suspect, who was not named, was taken into custody. Police did not immediately respond to requests by email and phone to confirm that Moore was the suspect.
“This incident does not appear to be random in nature, and there appears to be no ongoing threat to the community,” police said in a news release.
Police said the suspect was booked into the Washtenaw County Jail pending a review of charges and will make an appearance in court for an arraignment on Friday. The investigation continues.
Moore was listed in custody at the Washtenaw County Jail on Wednesday night and remained in jail as of late Thursday, according to booking records. Charges and bond information were not available.
Moore, 39, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
University of Michigan President Domenico Grasso said in a statement Thursday that Moore was "immediately terminated" after the findings of a university investigation into the alleged inappropriate relationship were presented Wednesday.
“There is absolutely no tolerance for this conduct at the University of Michigan. None,” he said. “I have been in close communication with the Board of Regents and we are united in committing to doing what is right.”
He called the “breach of trust” by Moore “painful for many in our community, first and foremost, the individuals directly involved in this situation.”
Grasso said the university’s investigation will continue and anyone with information is asked to contact officials at the school.
Moore became the Wolverines’ head coach in 2024 after Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL. In two seasons with Moore as the head coach, Michigan posted a 17-8 record.
He was suspended for two games in 2025 as part of Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal. He also served multiple games as the acting head coach in 2023 because of Harbaugh's multiple suspensions in the same scandal.
Michigan first hired Moore in 2018 as the tight ends coach. He was promoted to co-offensive coordinator in 2021 before he served in the role himself at the start of the 2023 season.
The Wolverines went 9-3 this season, finishing 18th in the final College Football Playoff rankings. Michigan lost to its chief rival, Ohio State, in late November, the Wolverines’ first loss to the Buckeyes since 2019.
Michigan is scheduled to play the No. 13 Texas Longhorns in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31. Associate head coach Biff Poggi will be the interim head coach.
