Michigan Fires Head Coach Sherrone Moore in Stunning Turn Ahead of Citrus Bowl
Just when the college football world thought the dust had settled after the regular season, Michigan dropped a bombshell. Sherrone Moore is out as head coach of the Wolverines - and the timing couldn’t be more jarring. Less than two weeks after a bitter loss to Ohio State in Ann Arbor, Michigan is heading into bowl season without the man who led them through the fall.
The news broke Tuesday as Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel announced Moore’s immediate dismissal following the conclusion of a university investigation. According to Manuel, the probe determined that Moore had an "inappropriate relationship" with a staff member - a violation the university deemed serious enough to warrant swift action.
“The University of Michigan has high standards for the conduct of its employees, and we have determined that Coach Moore’s actions do not align with those standards,” Manuel said in a statement.
It’s a stunning development for a coach who just wrapped up his first full season at the helm. Moore took over the program after the departure of Jim Harbaugh and was widely seen as a rising figure within the Wolverines’ ranks. But this decision, coming just days before Michigan is set to face Texas in the Citrus Bowl, leaves the program reeling and scrambling for stability.
Moore’s Firing Adds Another Layer to a Disappointing Finish
The firing comes on the heels of a tough loss to archrival Ohio State - a game that not only ended Michigan’s undefeated season but also knocked them out of College Football Playoff contention. Instead of preparing for a semifinal, the Wolverines are now preparing for a Citrus Bowl matchup against a high-powered Texas team led by Steve Sarkisian.
Now they’ll do it under interim head coach Biff Poggi, a veteran presence on staff who’ll be tasked with steadying the team through an emotional and chaotic stretch. Poggi, who has extensive coaching experience and previously served as head coach at Charlotte, will lead the Wolverines in Orlando. However, there’s no indication he’ll be considered for the permanent job.
What’s Next for Michigan?
With Moore’s departure, Michigan’s focus shifts quickly to the future - both immediate and long-term. First, there’s the challenge of getting this team ready to face a Texas squad that’s no stranger to big-stage football. Then, there’s the larger question: Who will lead the Wolverines into 2026?
This is now the second time in less than a year that Michigan finds itself in a head coaching search. The program, which has been in the national spotlight for both its on-field success and off-field controversies, must now navigate another high-stakes transition. The next hire will be critical - not just to maintain momentum, but to stabilize a program that’s suddenly facing more questions than answers.
For now, the Wolverines turn the page, preparing for a bowl game without the man who led them through a rollercoaster season. It’s a stunning twist in Ann Arbor - and one that will have ripple effects across the college football landscape.