Former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham has replaced Sheronne Moore as the head football coach at Michigan.
Former University of Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore faced felony charges, stemming from an incident involving his mistress, a former subordinate, after their affair led to his dismissal as Wolverines coach in 2025.
On March 10, Brad Crawford of CBS Sports reported, “Days after former Michigan coach Sherrone Moore reached a plea deal for two misdemeanor charges stemming from his firing in December, his former assistant—identified as Paige Shiver—released her first public statement on the situation to the Detroit Free Press.
“Shiver, 32, said through the Chicago-based Action Injury Law Group [last] Monday that she battled ‘years of manipulation, harassment and exploitation’ from Moore and that Michigan failed to protect its employee from such actions. The statement claims Shiver ‘felt pressured, intimidated and unable to escape conduct that should never occur in any workplace, let alone at a public university’ due to her position as a ‘subordinate employee’ under a ‘powerful head coach’ at Michigan…
“Shiver did not detail her relationship with the former Michigan coach in the statement. Her attorney, Andre M. Stroth, told the media outlet Moore ‘took advantage of a younger, female employee.’ The statement also referenced comments from athletic director Warde Manuel in December when he called the relationship between Moore and Shiver a violation of university policy and that Shiver might not have been the only employee who endured ‘inappropriate’ behavior from her superior.”
After news broke about Moore’s affair and firing, many on social media and in mainstream media criticized Moore for jeopardizing his family and career for a fling.
Some looked to Moore and other male sports figures, such as Shannon Sharpe, as examples of how a lack of sexual discipline can lead many men to lose great jobs and business opportunities, especially married men like Moore.
And many social media critics looked at the drama some powerful Black men find themselves in after having relationships and affairs with White women.
Multimedia personality and journalist Todd A. Smith of RegalMag.com wrote, “If the allegations against former University of Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore are true, it might represent the biggest screw-up in recent memory.
“The Michigan Wolverines fired the married Moore for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a Michigan staff member.
“While Moore is not the first to lose his job over an alleged affair with a staff member, he should know that not all adulterers and philanderers are treated equally in the American court of public opinion.
“Moore infamously once said that he does not see color because he is married to a White wife.
“But brothers must realize that we are not playing under the same rules as our White counterparts.
“The scrutiny will often be stronger.
“The punishment will often be more severe.
“And the chance at redemption will sometimes never come.
“Honestly, if some of the allegations are proven true, Moore does not merit a second chance at a college football coaching career.
“His alleged actions could merit jail time and the loss of his family and the respect that they had for him…
“Moore is innocent until proven guilty in the court of law, just like all Americans.
“But all Americans, especially African-American men, should pay attention to this ordeal and make darn sure that they do not put themselves and their families in this predicament ever again.
“From young boys, many men are taught that it is in a man’s nature to hook up with as many women as they possibly can, despite their marital status, family situation or job.
“Many men have said that all men cheat.
“And some men get criticized by other men if they do not cheat on their significant other.
“That reality has become so commonplace that many women are shocked when married or committed men turn down their sexual advances.
“Some relationship experts say that people are also willing to ruin their relationships and reputations because there is something exciting about having someone that they should not have.
“For many, stable relationships can become boring and monotonous.
“Therefore, they miss the chase.
“There is excitement in not getting caught.
“There is (something) exciting about getting away with something.
“But is it worth it?”
However, the more serious felony charges against Moore were dropped in exchange for his pleading no contest to the misdemeanors of malicious use of a telecommunications device in a domestic relationship and trespassing.
On March 6, ESPN reporter Den Wetzel wrote. “(Moore’s) plea agreement centers on Moore’s actions Dec. 10, following his sudden firing as Michigan coach. The university dismissed More that day for having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
“Moore, 40, soon drove to the staff member’s apartment and was initially charged with felony home invasion and misdemeanor counts of breaking and entering and stalking in a domestic relationship. That staff member told police that the married father of three grabbed a butter knife and threatened to harm himself. Earlier that day, the staff member had told the school about the relationship.”
Moore’s lawyer, Ellen Michaels, said, “All the [initial] charges against Mr. Moore were not supported by the facts of law. The dismissal of those charges validates the concerns we raised about the investigation from the very beginning…Mr. Moore is pleased to put this behind him and move forward.”
Moore will be sentenced on April 14 and could face up to one year in prison, although lawyers not associated with his case do not predict he will serve any jail time.
