Police in Michigan have issued a statement providing some details about why former University of Michigan Head Coach Sherrone Moore was taken into custody on December 10. However, even as Moore’s career imploded and he, at least temporarily, lost his freedom, he still stands to potentially earn millions.
What was Moore’s salary? “Moore’s buyout was listed at $13.89 million. That number is the second-lowest among all listed coaches from the Big Ten,” CBS News reported. According to USA Today, his total salary was $6.11 million, making him the 40th top-paid college football coach.
It was a whirlwind of developments, as the university announced it had fired Moore. Then, ESPN reported that he detained by police, a fact that was documented by jail records showing Moore, 39, confined to a Michigan jail. Now, police have finally provided some details about what is going on. Moore was ousted after “credible evidence” emerged that he “engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member,” the university said, according to USA Today.
It’s Unclear Whether the University of Michigan Will Have to Pay Sherrone Moore the Full Buyout
(Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
Because of the manner in which Moore was ousted (right before he was detained), it’s not clear whether he will get the full buyout amount, according to CBS News.
“Moore’s buyout was listed at $13.89 million. That number is the second-lowest among all listed coaches from the Big Ten,” the network wrote, adding, “Michigan could be off the hook for some (or all) of his buyout, though cases like this have ended in court battles in the past.”
He stood to make a lot more money if he wasn’t fired. “Moore’s contract at Michigan was set to pay $5.5 million in base salary and additional compensation annually through the 2029 season — with a $500,000 retention bonus each season,” wrote CBS News.
Two police departments were involved in taking Moore into custody, both Saline and Pittsfield Township, both in Michigan.
According to ESPN, police “responded at 4:10 p.m. to the 3000 block of Ann Arbor Saline Road.” What happened? It was “for the purposes of investigating an alleged assault. … A suspect in this case was taken into custody. This incident does not appear to be random in nature, and there appears to be no ongoing threat to the community,” added ESPN.
Saline police had previously told ESPN that they “assisted in locating and detaining former University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore. Mr. Moore was turned over to the Pittsfield Township Police Department for investigation into potential charges.”
Moore is married with three kids. He has been the head coach of the University of Michigan since 2022.
“The suspect was lodged at the Washtenaw County Jail pending review of charges by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor,” the statement continued, according to ESPN. “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.”
The University of Michigan Confirmed Sherrone Moore Was ‘Terminated, With Cause’
“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.”
