Michigan’s Sherrone Moore contract protects HC amid sign-stealing scandal | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

The new contract that Sherrone Moore and Michigan reached last week will reportedly protect him from being fired for his role in the sign-stealing scandal that came to light last season.

For USA Today Steve Berkowitz and Tony Garcia, Michigan “appears to have agreed not to fire Moore for just cause given current knowledge of his involvement in the alleged sign-stealing scandal, which was primarily perpetrated by former football staff member Connor Stallions.”

According to ESPN’s Dan Murphy and Pete Thamel, the NCAA sent Michigan and Moore a notice of allegations last month, stating that Moore faces punishment for showing reasonable cause and possible suspension for his role in the scandal.

The bill says Moore allegedly deleted a thread of 52 messages from Stallions last October, the same day the sign-stealing scandal was revealed. The bill also says Moore is charged with committing a Level 2 violation.

In addition to his allegations of involvement in the sign-stealing scandal, Moore is also considered a potential “repeat infringer” by the NCAA. In August 2023, Moore “negotiated a resolution to allegations that he contacted recruits during the COVID-19 dead period.”

While he cannot be fired for his known involvement in the sign-stealing scandal, he can be suspended without pay or fired for “if the University determines that the Head Coach has committed a violation of the Rules, whether or not such violation occurs before or after the effective date of this Agreement,” the agreement reads.

Moore, who has been on Michigan’s staff since 2018, agreed to become the Wolverines’ head coach in January after Jim Harbaugh left for the Los Angeles Chargers. Although the contract listed a start date of Jan. 27, 2024, it was not signed by Moore and athletic director Warde Manuel until this month.

The contract, which expires in 2029, will pay Moore $6 million in base salary this season.

Moore and the Wolverines are off to a 2-1 start, with a loss to Texas in between wins over Fresno State and Arkansas State. Michigan has its first Big Ten test this week when it faces USC.