Connecting the dots with Sherrone Moore and other Michigan scandals

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Connecting the dots with Sherrone Moore and other Michigan scandals

Brent Schrotenboer, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Fri, Dec 12, 2025 ·

3 min read

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The University of Michigan has been down this road before.

In 2020, it was the university provost . In 2022, it was the university president . In 2025, it's the head football coach .

All were accused of inappropriate behavior involving other people at the university. And now the university is using a law firm to investigate football coach Sherrone Moore – the same law firm that had helped it investigate university president Mark Schlissel just a few years earlier.

Moore was fired on Dec. 10 , when athletic director Warde Manuel said "credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member." Manuel said Moore's conduct "constitutes a clear violation of university policy."

The three scandals are connected in various ways and involve some of the highest-ranking and highest-profile positions at one of the most prestigious schools in the Midwest. While it might imply problems with the leadership culture there, it also allegedly shows lines keep getting crossed even after the university responds with action.

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See fired Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore's career on the field

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore shakes hands with place kicker Dominic Zvada (96) after an extra point against Washington during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
Moore, the former Michigan football coach fired on Dec. 10 , 2025, was arrested hours after he was relieved of his duties.

(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Michigan coach Sherrone Moore cheers as he runs onto the field for warmup at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore uses hand signal, 4-0, to celebrate the Wolverines' 4th straight win over Ohio State at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore watches a play against Ohio State during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day shakes hands with Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore following the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Michigan won 13-10.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore hugs athletic director Warde Manuel during warmup at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore reacts to a play against Purdue during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore shakes hands with Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith after the Wolverines' 31-20 win at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore cheers on before a play against Washington during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Sherrone Moore, Michigan’s new head coach, smiles as he is surrounded by members of the media during a press conference inside the Junge Family Champions Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024.
(David Rodriguez Munoz, Detroit Free Press)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore walks around the field after team arrive for the game between Ohio State and Michigan at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore celebrates with defensive back Brandyn Hillman.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Jan 19, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head football coach Sherrone Moore fires up the crowd in overtime of the basketball game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
(Rick Osentoski, Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images)

Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore leads his team onto the field for the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore prepares to take the field before the the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore on the sidelines during the first quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025.
(Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore watches a play against Purdue during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore hugs Washington head coach Jedd Fisch after 24-7 win at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 30: Head coach Sherrone Moore of the Michigan Wolverines arrives before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
(Jason Mowry, Getty Images)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore shakes hands with USC head coach Lincoln Riley after 27-24 win at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore walks towards the locker room as team arrive ahead of the New Mexico game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore before the game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Michigan Wolverines at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma, on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore watches quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) during the first half of the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Dec 31, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore greets Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen Deboer after the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Michigan coach Sherrone Moore leaves the field after a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Michigan Wolverines at Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-13.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
(Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images)

University of Michigan coach Sherrone Moore celebrates after beating the University of Alabama on Dec. 31, 2024, in Tampa, Fla.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore fires up the student section during warm up ahead of the New Mexico game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore, center, speaks to players after the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

How all the Michigan leadership scandals intertwine

The university didn't say which policy Moore allegedly violated, but it appears to be Policy No. 201.97 , which was implemented in response to the sexual harassment scandal involving former provost Martin Philbert, the second-highest administrator at the school.

That policy prohibits most supervisor-employee relationships and was put in place in 2021, shortly before Schlissel was fired in early 2022 . Michigan fired Schlissel then after receiving information about an alleged sexual affair with a subordinate and determining that interactions with the subordinate "were inconsistent with promoting the dignity and reputation of the university."

Nearly four years later, Michigan is back at it with Moore.

"This breach of trust by Coach Moore is painful for many in our community, first and foremost, the individuals directly involved in this situation," interim university President Domenico Grasso said in a statement on Dec. 10 . "Yet our swift and decisive action reflects the University's staunch commitment to a campus culture of respect, integrity and accountability. All of the facts here must be known, so the University's investigation will continue. I encourage anyone with information about this matter to confidentially contact UMconcerns@jenner.com ."

Michigan engages same law firm as last time

The latter email address belongs to the law firm of Jenner & Block, the same firm that the university engaged in December 2021 to investigate Schlissel . That law firm's website says it "helps educational institutions navigate large-scale matters that carry significant legal, political, and reputational risk."

When the University of Michigan Board of Regents fired Schlissel on Jan. 15, 2022, it sent a letter to him noting his conduct was "egregious" in light of how he had committed to improve safety after the scandal involving provost Philbert. An investigation in 2020 had found that Philbert had sexually harassed multiple members of the university community , including university employees and graduate students who worked in his lab.

Schlissel sent a message to the university community about it on Aug. 3, 2020.

"The regents have been stressing with campus leadership the importance of diminishing sexual harassment and misconduct for many years," Schlissel said in the message.

Michigan enacted policy in July 2021

The university looked into the Philbert case with a different law firm, WilmerHale. That firm recommended establishing a policy that became known as Policy No. 201.97, which forbids most supervisor-employee relationships .

It became effective in July 2021 . But Schlissel apparently didn't heed it, or at least the broader spirit of it. And neither apparently did Moore, according to the university.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer . Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sherrone Moore just the latest behavior scandal with Michigan leaders

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