Ex-Michigan coach Sherrone Moore in custody hours after firing as police conduct assault investigation

Ex-Michigan coach Sherrone Moore was in custody at the Washtenaw County (Mich.) jail Wednesday night hours after being fired by the school, court records show. Moore, who was fired for cause for engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, was detained by the Saline (Mich.) Police Department and turned over to police in Pittsfield Township for "an investigation into potential charges," the Saline Police Department said in a statement to ESPN. 

"The City of Saline Police Department assisted in locating and detaining former University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore," the statement read. "Mr. Moore was turned over to the Pittsfield Township Police Department for investigation into potential charges."

According to a statement from the Pittsfield Police Department, officers responded to a location at 4:10 p.m. Wednesday "for the purposes of investigating an alleged assault." A suspect in the case "was taken into custody" and "this incident does not appear to be random in nature," the statement says. An investigation is ongoing. Moore was not named in the statement. 

"This incident does not appear to be random in nature, and there appears to be no ongoing threat to the community. The suspect was lodged at the Washtenaw County Jail pending review of charges by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor," the statement says. "At this time, the investigation is ongoing. Given the nature of the allegations, the need to maintain the integrity of the investigation, and its current status at this time, we are prohibited from releasing additional details."

Michigan fires Sherrone Moore for cause amid 'inappropriate relationship' with staff member

Carter Bahns

Moore's tenure as Michigan's coach came to an abrupt end Wednesday after an internal investigation into his conduct.

"Sherrone Moore has been terminated, with cause, effective immediately," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement. "Following a university investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. This conduct constitutes a clear violation of University policy, and UM maintains zero tolerance for such behavior."

Moore was tabbed Michigan's coach at the conclusion of the 2023 season after Jim Harbaugh departed to coach the Los Angeles Chargers. He finished 16-8 (11-6 in Big Ten play) in his two seasons with the program. Moore had been on Michigan's staff since the 2018, when he was hired as the tight ends coach. He ascended to offensive coordinator before succeeding Harbaugh. 

Moore had a buyout of around $14 million, but because he was fired for cause, Michigan may be off the hook for nearly all of it. 

Michigan went 9-3 this season and is slated to play Texas in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31.