The Michigan staff member at the center of Sherrone Moore's dismissal remains employed by the university, and Michigan says its own policies explain why.
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In a statement to USA Today, the school cited its guidelines governing intimate relationships between supervisors and employees. Under university policy, supervisors are prohibited from initiating or engaging in romantic relationships with employees they oversee. The responsibility to report such a relationship falls squarely on the supervisor, not the subordinate.
Michigan's policy requires any disclosed relationship to be reported up the chain of command, with steps taken to remove any supervisory authority or influence. It also includes strict protections against retaliation for employees who report violations.
In this case, prosecutors said the staffer reported the relationship after Moore continued contacting her following the end of the affair. Because the policy explicitly bars adverse employment action against someone who reports a violation, Michigan could not terminate the staff member without violating its own rules.
The woman has not been publicly identified by police or the university. Prosecutors allege Moore broke into her apartment days after the relationship ended and made threatening statements while holding kitchen utensils. Moore has pleaded not guilty to charges that include felony home invasion, stalking and breaking and entering.
Michigan took the unusual step last week of announcing Moore had been fired with cause, citing an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. The designation allows the school to void the remaining terms of his contract, including any buyout.
Moore, 39, was detained hours after his firing and later arraigned via Zoom. Authorities have said there is no ongoing threat to the public.
A source told CBS Sports the relationship was widely known within the program. Michigan, however, said its investigation uncovered credible evidence that Moore violated university policy.
Moore went 9-3 this season and 18-8 overall in two years as head coach. Biff Poggi has been named interim coach and will lead the Wolverines in the Citrus Bowl against Texas on Dec. 31.
