When Jim Harbaugh left his University of Michigan football team head coaching job for the NFL in January 2024, the team’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, Sherrone Moore, was promoted to head coach. Following the end of his second season heading the squad, the married father of three young daughters was fired with cause, for engaging in what the school said was an inappropriate relationship with a university staff member, the Associated Press reported.
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It didn’t take long for the internet to go in about the explosive scandal, which seems to be getting messier by the headline. Here’s what we know so far.
Sherrone Moore’s Firing
News of Moore’s firing dominated social media on Wednesday (Dec. 10) after the University of Michigan said they verified evidence of his alleged relationship with a staffer, the AP reported.
The Ann Arbor-based university initially investigated Moore earlier this year after they received a tip about an alleged affair, but did not find any evidence of wrongdoing at the time, a source told ESPN. But on Wednesday, the school announced in a statement his immediate dismissal. “Moore has been terminated, with cause, effective immediately. Following a University investigation, credible evidence was found that Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member,” the school said.
Michigan’s statement cited cause for Moore’s firing, which means the university might not have to pay Moore his $14 million buyout clause, according to the New York Post.
His Arrest
Just hours after his firing was announced, Pittsfield police reported they responded to the 3000 block of Ann Arbor Saline Road around 4 p.m. to investigate an alleged assault. A suspect in the case was taken into custody, according to ESPN.
Authorities did not name a suspect, however, Saline police stated they “assisted in locating and detaining Moore, who was turned over to the Pittsfield Township Police Department for investigation into potential charges.”
After Moore was detained, the 39-year-old was then taken into police custody in the Washtenaw County Jail on Wednesday night. He was booked as a suspect in an alleged assault.
Audio Footage
Disturbing audio stemming from the alleged assault, made from a Michigan football employee’s address in Ann Arbor around 4 p.m. Wednesday (Dec. 10), was obtained by TMZ.
A woman alleged Moore attacked her after allegedly stalking her for months. It is unclear whether the employee was the woman allegedly attacked, or if the alleged assault just took place at her home. The audio detailed an alleged report made by the suspect’s wife who said he was suicidal after “losing his job today,” TMZ reported.
The Internet Has a Field Day
Folks online posted memes, tweets and posts galore making fun of both the university and Moore. “Sherrone Moore was allergic to taking risks on the field but had zero problem risking his marriage,” one X user wrote.
A second user condemned Moore who, “actually piss me off you have one of the best coaching jobs in college football and you throw it away to cheat with a staff member like there’s no way these real people.”
Other users couldn’t help but draw similarities between Moore and Houston Rockets’ basketball coach Ime Udoka. The latter was suspended from his first NBA head coaching job with the Boston Celtics for an alleged improper workplace relationship with a female staff member– which violated team policy — in September 2022. Udoka, at the time, was in a romantic relationship with actress Nia Long for 13 years, The Root previously reported.
“Ime Udoke next time he sees Sherrone Moore,” one user joked online.
“Every successful male can use this as a lesson. Sherrone Moore was the head coach at the University of Michigan,” another X user said. “Not many people get that opportunity in life. He just threw his whole career Lust can DESTROY you.”
The discourse continued over on TikTok.
“It’s insane to me what people will do to just ruin their life,” one TikTok creator said. He went on to note the “many self-inflicted wounds that we see bring people down all the time especially with men and young women. It’s a classic tale– and not in a good way.”
The Fall Out
CBS Sports reported that several prominent donors “cooled” on aiding the football program as the fallout continues. “This is a sad day to see it come to this. I feel horrible for all the players, coaches and families are going to be disrupted. And I don’t know what becomes of Sherrone,” a Michigan football booster told the outlet.
As of Thursday afternoon, Moore remains behind bars at the Washtenaw County Jail. He is expected to appear in court for his arraignment on Friday, the Pittsfield Charter Township Department of Public Safety announced. As of this writing, no charges has been filed.
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