With each passing day, the Sherrone Moore firing saga keeps adding layers. The former Michigan Wolverines football head coach was shown the door before he ever had the chance to cement his legacy. Yet amid the noise, the one who is temporarily filling his role, Biff Poggi, stepped up. Not just him, the basketball side of the program chimed in too, prioritizing compassion over competition. 

“It has been a tumultuous time,” said the interim head coach on December 15. “At first disbelief, then anger, what we’re in right now is the kids feel very betrayed, and we’re trying to work through that.”

Even though Moore and Michigan basketball head coach Dusty May hardly crossed paths, he, too, broke the silence on the path filled with thorns for the Moore family.

“There were, obviously, some poor decisions made across the board,” said Michigan basketball coach Dusty May on December 15. “Everyone involved is a human being, and every decision impacts other human beings. And so, I pray for families that are impacted.”

Moore’s fall came fast. Michigan fired its head football coach of the past two seasons with cause. Last week, an investigation cited “credible evidence” of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Just hours later, the situation escalated further.

Moore was arrested and charged with felony home invasion, along with misdemeanor stalking and breaking and entering. On December 10, he was detained by police in Saline/Pittsfield. Moore was released on a $25,000 bond under strict conditions, including GPS monitoring, no-contact orders, and mandated mental health treatment. His next court date is set for January 22, 2026.

The fallout extends beyond Moore himself. His family is caught in the storm. According to dispatch audio obtained by The Detroit News, Moore’s wife called 911, fearing he was “suicidal” after losing his Michigan coaching job.

“According to our victim here, he did put a knife to his throat and ran out,” the audio said. “They’re also advising that when he left the location on their call, he walked out with several knives.”

That’s what made May concerned about both Moore and his family. 

“I don’t have the solutions for the world’s problems, but man, if we just all just tried to be better human beings and better world civilians,” said May.

Michigan’s coach coming down hard on Moore makes sense given their shared Wolverines history. But even archrival and former Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer called for a bit more compassion for the Moore family during these difficult times.

“Last night I said a prayer for that family,” Meyer dropped a heartfelt message. “Rivalry’s aside, this is all human element now.”

Jim Harbaugh put Moore on the Michigan map in 2018 as tight ends coach. By 2021, Moore had moved up to offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator, helping build the staff that led the Wolverines to the 2023 national title.

“[I] heard that, Chad Jessup told me, one of our equipment guys, when we were coming off the field on Thursday,” Harbaugh shared. “So, still processing that. Like a lot of people, I’m sure.”

Support for Moore comes from unexpected quarters. But Michigan has bigger plans, aiming for a $7.5 million hire. That’s when Joel Klatt reminds the world that filling Moore’s shoes comes with serious pressure.

Joel Klatt sounds alarm for coaches eyeing Sherrone Moore’s vacant seat

First in line was the Sun Devils’ coach. But hitting six wins and bowl eligibility triggered another season on Kenny Dillingham’s deal, now running through 2030. USA Today lists him as the 25th-highest-paid head coach among public programs, earning $7.4 million-plus in 2025.

One of the most vocal figures in the coaching chatter is Barstool’s Dave Portnoy. The Michigan booster insisted he can land Dillingham as Moore’s replacement if allowed to lead the charge.

“I wanted Dillingham,” Portnoy said. “I’ll get Dillingham on a silver platter in 48 hours.”

Another name in the Michigan head coach rumor mill is Washington Huskies’ second-year coach Jedd Fisch. The former Wolverine offensive coordinator just closed out his second season with the Huskies by dominating the Boise State Broncos in the LA Bowl. But whoever replaces Moore, Joel Klatt has a warning. 

“This search is now going to coincide with an announced investigation or query into the practices and culture of the athletic department,” Klatt said on the December 15th episode of his podcast. “Not great. That’s going to be difficult for Warde Manuel as he’s trying to navigate this whole coaching search.”

As chatter ramps up about Alabama Crimson Tide’s Kalen DeBoer potentially taking over for Moore, an ex-Crimson Tide quarterback raised a red flag.

“You’re the number one seed in the SEC, the biggest brand,” said AJ McCarron. “I don’t know if you could say the same thing for Michigan right now.”

It’s now a question of which head coach will finally have the guts to step into the hot seat Sherrone Moore left behind.