The fallout from the Sherrone Moore scandal at Michigan just took another turn, and this time, it’s coming from inside the locker room.
Anthony Simpson, a former Michigan wide receiver who has since transferred to Ohio, claims his playing time was cut short because other Wolverines players allegedly blackmailed then-head coach Sherrone Moore. According to Simpson, the players threatened to expose Moore’s inappropriate relationship with a staff member-a relationship that ultimately led to Moore’s dismissal in December.
Moore was fired on Dec. 10 after news broke of the affair. That same day, he was taken into custody after allegedly threatening the woman involved.
Just two days later, Moore appeared in court and was hit with serious charges: stalking, breaking and entering, and third-degree home invasion. If convicted, he could be facing up to five years behind bars.
Now, more than a month after Moore’s firing, Simpson has added a new layer to the controversy. In a since-deleted social media post, he suggested that his role on the team was directly impacted by the internal scandal.
“If I kept my mouth closed no one would know that I was a part of a scandal that impacted the team and impacted my chance to add to my production in college,” Simpson wrote. He added that he tried to remain at Michigan, but was told by Sean Magee-the program’s general manager-that there wasn’t a roster spot for him.
Simpson’s post paints a picture of a fractured program, where off-the-field issues may have influenced on-field decisions. It’s a tough look for a Michigan team that, not long ago, was riding high.
Simpson, for his part, had a breakout year in 2023 at UMass before transferring to Michigan. He posted 57 catches for 792 yards and three touchdowns that season, showing real potential.
But under Moore, he barely saw the field. He’s now looking for a fresh start at Toledo.
Moore’s time as Michigan’s head coach was brief but eventful. He stepped into the spotlight in 2023 as the interim head coach during Jim Harbaugh’s suspension for the sign-stealing scandal. After Harbaugh left for the NFL to take over the Los Angeles Chargers, Moore was promoted to full-time head coach in 2024.
That first season under Moore saw the Wolverines go 8-5, capped by a bowl win over Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. In 2025, they improved to 9-3 before Moore was let go in December amid the off-field controversy. Biff Poggi stepped in as interim head coach for the Citrus Bowl, where Michigan fell to Texas, 41-27.
Now, the program is turning the page once again. Kyle Whittingham has been named the new head coach, and he’ll be tasked with not just leading Michigan on the field, but restoring stability off it.
As for Simpson, he’s moving forward, but his claims raise serious questions about the internal dynamics in Ann Arbor during Moore’s tenure. If what he says is true, it suggests a culture where personal leverage may have influenced playing time-an unsettling notion for a program of Michigan’s stature.
This story is still developing, but one thing’s clear: the ripple effects of the Moore scandal are far from over.