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Michigan fires head coach Sherrone Moore amid program struggles

Michigan parts ways with Sherrone Moore and looks for a leader to rebuild its struggling football program.

Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore was fired on Dec. 10 and arrested in connection with an assault investigation.The university stated Moore was fired for cause following an investigation into an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.Moore remained in jail as of late Dec. 11, pending formal criminal charges and an expected court arraignment.

Sherrone Moore, fired Dec. 10 as Michigan football coach, was officially charged with home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering on Dec. 12.

Michigan announced Moore’s firing in a statement at 4:43 p.m. ET on Dec. 10, minutes after police reported that Moore was detained following a 4:10 p.m. call “investigating an alleged assault.”

Moore was arraigned on Dec. 12 and the judge set his bail at $25,000. In court Friday, prosecutor Kati Rezmierski alleged that Moore broke into the victim’s home and threatened to kill himself, grabbing knives and scissors from a drawer and told her that “my blood is on your hands.”

The home invasion charge is a felony, while the stalking and breaking and entering cases are both misdemeanors.

Moore underwent a second mental evaluation on Thursday and must continue all mental health treatment as a condition of his bond.

On Dec. 11, Michigan interim president Domenico Grasso addressed the firing of Moore, 39, in a letter to faculty and students, saying that the coach was “immediately terminated” when his alleged conduct came to light. Grasso said the university’s investigation into the allegations is ongoing.

Moore led Michigan to a 17-8 record in his two seasons leading the program, not including a 1-0 record as interim coach in 2023. He is replaced by interim coach Biff Poggi ahead of the 9-3 Wolverines‘ scheduled Dec. 31 Citrus Bowl appearance against No. 14 Texas.

USA TODAY Sports is bringing you live updates and developments surrounding Moore. Follow along:

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During his arraignment on Friday, the prosecutor alleged that after breaking into the victim’s home, Moore went to a kitchen drawer and grabbed butter knives and scissors. He allegedly threatened suicide to the victim, saying “I’m going to kill myself,” “I’m going to make you watch” and “my blood is on your hands.”

Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore is facing three criminal charges following his arrest hours after being relieved of his duties.

According to court documents released Dec. 12, Moore faces criminal allegations of felony third-degree home invasion, misdemeanor stalking-domestic relationship, and misdemeanor breaking and entering. Bond had not been set in the criminal case against Moore.

A court release Friday morning said that “probable cause by the magistrate arraignment on this case” will be made at 1 p.m. ET.

Washtenaw County court officials say they’ve “received information a complaint will be filed by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’ office” pertaining to Sherrone Moore.

The expectation is Moore will be arraigned sometime around 1 p.m.

— Tony Garcia | Detroit Free Press (@RealTonyGarcia) December 12, 2025

CBS Detroit’s Rachel Hopmayer reports Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel was made aware of Sherrone Moore’s mental health issues on Sunday, three days before Manuel fired Moore.

According to Hopmayer’s source, who is within the program, prominent donors told Manuel about Moore having mental health issues. 

The source said the latest investigation was the third one involving Moore over alleged conduct with women. 

In general, Washtenaw County prosecutors and law enforcement may detain recently fired Michigan coach Sherrone Moore for anywhere from 48 to 72 hours without bringing formal criminal charges.

Although law enforcement told media they anticipate Moore will have a court hearing Friday, Dec. 12, 72 hours is typically the longest one is held in criminal cases without charges, said John Freeman, a Bloomfield Hills criminal defense lawyer.

— Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press

The sheriff at the 14-A1 district court says arraignments will not begin this afternoon until 1 p.m., the usual time. That, of course, includes Sherrone Moore, although there still does not appear to be any paperwork filed, or any information in the Washtenaw County system.It is not yet clear if it will be a video arraignment or in person, but the expectation is it will be on video.

— Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press

As of 7 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12, the online court system Washtenaw County uses to track cases did not contain any information about a possible hearing or charges involving Moore. However, the Pittsfield Township Police Department said in a statement on Thursday, Dec. 11 that they expected Moore to appear in court on Friday. 

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.

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.

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

– Brent Schrotenboer

The roster fallout has begun for Michigan.

Matt Ludwig, a four-star tight end from Montana, has been granted a release from his signed national letter of intent. The 6-4, 220-pound athlete out of Billings West (Billings, Montana) was seen as the No. 1 player in Montana, No. 12 tight end in the country and a top-250 recruit in the class of 2026, according to 247Sports composite rankings.

“Our principal just bought him a cap and gown and just did (the ceremony) real quick in the hallway,’’ Billings West High School coach Rob Stanton told USA TODAY Sports. “Then about 20 minutes later (Ludwig’s) phone was blowing up.’’

— Josh Peter

USA TODAY’s live updates from Dec. 11 addressed Moore’s potential arraignment date, recruit reaction to the firing, a statement from university interim president Domenico Grasso and much more. Catch up on Dec. 11 updates here.