Ex-Michigan head football coach in jail hours after firing over allegation of ‘inappropriate relationship’ with staff member

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, booking records show.

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 had an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. This conduct constitutes a flagrant violation of university policy, and UM maintains zero tolerance for such behavior,” the statement continued.

ESPN first reported that Moore had been arrested. Following an investigation into this report, Pittsfield Township Police sent out a press release regarding an assault investigation. The release does not name Moore.

The department said it responded to investigate an assault allegation at 4:10 p.m. Wednesday and a suspect, who has not been named, was taken into custody. Police did not immediately respond to email and phone requests to confirm Moore was the suspect.

“This incident does not appear to be random in nature and there does not appear to be any ongoing threat to the community,” police said in a news release.

Police said the suspect was booked into the Washtenaw County Jail pending review of charges. The investigation continues.

Moore was booked into the Washtenaw County Jail at 10:41 p.m., according to booking records. Information on fees and deposits was not available.

Moore, 39, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Moore became the Wolverines’ head coach in 2024 after Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL. In two seasons with Moore as head coach, Michigan posted a 17-8 record.

He was suspended for two games in 2025 as part of the Michigan sign-stealing scandal. He also served several games as interim head coach in 2023 due to Harbaugh’s multiple suspensions in the same scandal.

Michigan first hired Moore in 2018 as tight ends coach. He was promoted to co-offensive coordinator in 2021 before taking that role himself at the start of the 2023 season.

The Wolverines went 9-3 this season, finishing 18th in the final College Football Playoff standings. Michigan lost to arch-rival Ohio State in late November, the Wolverines’ first loss to the Buckeyes since 2019.

Michigan is scheduled to face the No. 13 Texas Longhorns in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31. Associate head coach Biff Poggi will be the interim head coach.