The Michigan Wolverines are closing out their 2025 season under a cloud of controversy and heartbreak, following the sudden dismissal and arrest of head coach Sherrone Moore. What began as a season with high expectations has taken a stunning and somber turn.
Moore, who had been with Michigan since 2018 and was elevated to head coach in 2024 after Jim Harbaugh’s departure to the NFL, was fired last Wednesday for what the university described as an “inappropriate relationship” with a staff member. On the same day, Moore was arrested on suspicion of assault.
He made his first court appearance on Friday, facing serious charges including stalking, breaking and entering, and third-degree home invasion. He was released from jail later that day.
The news sent shockwaves through the college football world, especially given Moore’s rapid rise within the Michigan program. Originally hired by Harbaugh as a tight ends coach, Moore worked his way up the ladder, earning the trust of the program and eventually being tapped as Harbaugh’s successor. His leadership was seen as a continuation of the Wolverines’ recent resurgence - a young coach with deep ties to the team and a promising future.
But now, that future is in question.
Harbaugh, speaking during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, addressed the situation with the kind of raw emotion that comes from knowing someone personally and professionally for years. “I still don’t have my head wrapped around it,” Harbaugh said.
“It’s a tragedy and I’m just praying for all concerned. I love my alma mater.
Love Michigan… It’s the worst days of his life.”
Harbaugh emphasized the importance of family and spiritual support during such a difficult time. “Keep it together and take care of his family, that’s the message,” he added. “Getting spiritual guidance is really critical.”
It’s a sobering moment for a program that, less than a year ago, stood atop the college football world. Moore had stepped in as interim head coach for three games in 2023 while Harbaugh served a suspension tied to the sign-stealing scandal.
Michigan went 3-0 during that stretch, though Moore was officially credited with just one win. Still, his leadership during that time helped steady the ship, and the Wolverines ultimately capped the season with a national championship victory over Washington.
As head coach, Moore compiled an 18-8 record. While that includes some impressive wins, the season-ending blowout loss to Ohio State loomed large. That defeat likely cost Michigan a shot at the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff - a bitter pill for a team with championship aspirations.
Now, with Moore gone, Michigan has turned to Biff Poggi to lead the team on an interim basis. Poggi will guide the Wolverines into the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on December 31, where they’ll face the Texas Longhorns.
It’s a matchup that once had the potential to be a launching pad into the new year. Instead, it now feels like a closing chapter to a season that has unraveled in unexpected and painful ways.
This is more than just a coaching change - it’s a seismic shift for a proud program trying to maintain its footing amid chaos. The Wolverines will take the field in Orlando without the man who was supposed to lead them into the future. And while the game against Texas still matters, the focus now is on healing, regrouping, and figuring out what comes next for Michigan football.