ANN ARBOR, Dec. 11, 2025 — The University of Michigan announced Wednesday that it has fired head football coach Sherrone Moore after an internal investigation found credible evidence he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. The decision, announced by Athletic Director Warde Manuel, came with the university saying the conduct violated campus policy and warranted termination “with cause.”
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What the university said
Michigan’s athletic department issued a brief statement saying the investigation uncovered credible evidence of misconduct that constitutes a clear violation of university policy and that the school maintains a zero-tolerance stance for such behavior. The athletic director named associate head coach Biff Poggi as interim head coach, effective immediately.
Timeline and context
Moore’s dismissal arrived during the team’s postseason window. Michigan is scheduled to play Texas in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on December 31, leaving the program to prepare for the bowl under interim leadership. The university’s action was reported and confirmed by multiple outlets on Dec. 10–11, 2025.
Shortly after the firing, law enforcement intervened. The Saline Police Department stated Moore was detained Wednesday and later transferred to Pittsfield Township authorities for further investigation into potential charges; officials said no additional details were immediately available.
Team record and recent history
Moore completed the regular season with a 9–3 record for the 2025 campaign. He became Michigan’s head coach in 2024 after a series of staff changes and had been a long-time member of Michigan’s coaching staff before his promotion. Over his tenure he oversaw on-field successes and periods of program turbulence, including prior suspensions connected to unrelated investigations earlier in his Michigan career.
Immediate personnel changes
With Moore’s termination, Michigan elevated Biff Poggi to interim head coach to lead the team into bowl preparations. The athletic department also confirmed the university will begin its administrative processes related to the termination and any contractual or personnel matters that follow a firing for cause.
What this means for players and staff
A mid-December coaching change alters typical bowl-week preparations and could affect staff assignments, practice plans, and game-day responsibilities. The athletic department indicated that it expects the program to continue preparations for the Dec. 31 bowl game and that interim staff will manage football operations while the university addresses the personnel and investigatory aftermath.
Legal and investigatory status
According to law enforcement statements released through local police channels, Moore was detained by Saline police on Wednesday and then turned over to another jurisdiction for follow-up. Officials said the matter is under investigation; as of the university’s announcement there had been no public filing of formal charges disclosed by police. The university’s personnel action was based on its internal investigation, which it says produced credible evidence of policy violations.
Reactions and broader implications
The firing drew immediate attention inside and outside Michigan’s fan base, and it creates an urgent task for athletic administrators to steady a program that now must manage both public scrutiny and on-field preparation. The decision to terminate with cause typically carries contractual and financial implications; the university’s statement did not disclose details about Moore’s contract status, buyout clauses, or financial settlements.
What to watch next
- How Michigan’s athletic department handles the contract and employment implications of a firing for cause.
- Whether law enforcement files charges and, if so, the nature and timing of any formal accusations.
- The short-term performance of the Wolverines under interim coach Biff Poggi during bowl preparations and the Dec. 31 matchup.
- Any additional staffing changes or internal reviews the university conducts in the wake of the investigation.
Quick facts
- Action: Head coach Sherrone Moore was terminated by the University of Michigan, effective immediately.
- Reason stated by university: Internal investigation produced credible evidence of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, a violation of university policy.
- Interim coach: Biff Poggi named interim head coach.
- Team status: Michigan is scheduled to play Texas in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31, 2025.
- Law enforcement: Moore was detained by Saline Police and turned over to Pittsfield Township authorities for further investigation.
Conclusion
The university’s decisive move to fire the head coach for cause underscores its stated commitment to campus policy enforcement. As the program pivots to interim leadership, attention will turn to how Michigan manages both the legal inquiry and on-field continuity heading into postseason play. The phrase michigan coach fired now marks a pivotal moment for a high-profile college football program navigating a complex personnel and public-relations episode.