Michigan’s Investigation Deepens as Coaching Search Begins in Wake of Moore Firing
The fallout from Sherrone Moore’s dismissal as Michigan’s head football coach has triggered a full-scale internal investigation-and the university isn’t holding back. Interim president Domenico Grasso made it clear this week: Michigan is prepared to make tough decisions, and fast, if new evidence surfaces.
In a video statement released Wednesday, Grasso laid out the university’s position in no uncertain terms. He confirmed that Michigan has brought in the law firm Jenner & Block to lead what he described as a sweeping, open-ended review of the entire athletic department.
The scope of the probe? Broad enough that even university officials aren’t sure what it might uncover.
But one thing is certain: if the investigation reveals further misconduct, Michigan won’t hesitate to act.
“We will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that conduct like this does not happen again,” Grasso said. “Make no mistake. We will leave no stone unturned.”
That message comes just days after Moore’s firing, which stemmed from an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Since his dismissal, Moore has been charged with three criminal offenses, including felony home invasion for allegedly entering the victim’s residence without permission. The charges have added a serious legal dimension to an already volatile situation in Ann Arbor.
Now, the university’s focus is twofold: clean up the culture within its athletic department and find the right leader to guide its flagship football program forward.
To that end, Grasso said the Jenner & Block investigation has expanded beyond Moore’s actions to include a full “independent evaluation of culture, conduct and procedures throughout our athletics department.” That means everything is on the table-from internal policies to leadership accountability.
As for the next head coach, Michigan is setting a high bar.
“We intend to hire an individual who can and will instill that spirit and who will represent the highest values that our university holds dear,” Grasso said. “We will hire an individual of the highest moral character and who will serve as a role model and respected leader for the whole football program and who will, with dignity and integrity, be a fierce competitor.”
That’s a tall order, but one Michigan believes is non-negotiable in the wake of recent events. The school is looking for someone who can not only win games but also restore trust and stability in a program that’s suddenly facing serious scrutiny.
For now, Biff Poggi is steering the ship. The veteran coach is serving as interim head coach and will remain in charge through the Citrus Bowl matchup against Texas on December 31.
Poggi, known for his steady hand and player-first approach, could be more than just a short-term solution. He’s viewed internally as a potential bridge option into 2026-especially if top-tier candidates like Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer, Washington’s Jedd Fisch, or Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham choose to stay put.
But make no mistake: Michigan isn’t just looking for a football mind. They’re looking for a leader who can help rebuild the culture from the ground up-someone who can win on Saturdays and set the tone every other day of the week.
As the investigation unfolds and the coaching search ramps up, one thing is clear: Michigan is treating this moment as a turning point. And how the university navigates the coming weeks could shape the future of its football program-and its athletic department-for years to come.