Michigan recruit 'devastated, shocked' over Sherrone Moore firing

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Michigan recruit 'devastated, shocked' over Sherrone Moore firing

Josh Peter, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Fri, Dec 12, 2025 ·

3 min read

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Matt Ludwig , a four-star football recruit and one of Michigan's top signees this year, graduated from Billings West High School in Montana Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 10, according to his high school coach, Rob Stanton.

"Our principal just bought him a cap and gown and just did (the ceremony) real quick in the hallway,'' Stanton told USA TODAY Sports. "Then about 20 minutes later (Ludwig's) phone was blowing up.''

A tight end, Ludwig got blindsided. Suddenly was digesting the shocking news: Sherrone Moore had been abruptly fired as Michigan's head football coach.

The school released a statement saying it had found "credible evidence" Moore engaged in an "inappropriate relationship with a staff member." Later in the day, Moore was arrested as police investigated an alleged assault.

Ludwig, who planned to enroll at Michigan in January to get an early start, instead requested he be released from his letter of intent and the university has complied, according to Stanton.

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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)

Stanton said he thinks Ludwig already had emerged as a leader among Michigan's signees.

"Just the bond he had with all those guys was pretty special," Stanton said, "and I think he did a good job of helping get some other people there."

Now it remains unclear who, like Ludwig, will leave that group behind.

Stanton said he visited Ludwig at the family's home Wednesday and "he was just really devastated, shocked, all the emotions with the news that he received. Right now he's in the stage of processing everything."

Ludwig's father, Matt Ludwig Sr., on Dec. 11 told USA TODAY Sports by text message, "Currently exploring all options, not ready to release any statements at this time."

The younger Matt Ludwig did not have his direct messages open on his X account Thursday and could not be reached for comment by USA TODAY Sports.

During the recruiting process, Stanton said, the Ludwigs got to know Moore, who was completing his second year as Michigan head coach.

"They got to know him really well and they trusted him,'' Stanton said. "So that's just hard right now for them to go through this."

Michigan's top-rated recruit 'A Wolverine right now'

Michigan's top-rated football recruit, defensive end Carter Meadows , has no plans for a quick exit, according to his high school coach, Randy Trivers of Gonzaga College High School in Washington D.C.

"He signed his letter of intent and he's a Michigan Wolverine right now,'' Trivers told USA TODAY Sports. "That's what his status is until he or his family sit down and decide that they want to do something different, which may not ever be the case. So his status is status quo, if you will."

Meadows, 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, is rated as the sixth-best overall recruit by 247Sports and Rivals and the 23rdbest overall by ESPN. Michigan was the heavy favorite before he signed with the Wolverines. He also considered Penn State, Ohio State and South Carolina, according to 247Sports and Rivals.

Trivers said, "There may be a couple guys that were really close to committing to another school" and "then all of a sudden this happens, and now it's like, oh, well, let me go to this (other) school instead of Michigan."

That does not appear to be the case with Meadows based on Trivers' perspective and recommendation.

"Rather than make a knee-jerk panic type of reaction, he's, let's really gather information," Trivers said. "Let's listen. Let's see what's going on here, and then ultimately make the right and best choice, which may be to be right there at Michigan."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matt Ludwig 'devastated' over Michigan football firing Sherrone Moore

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