The firing of Sherwin Moore and its shocking aftermath raises difficult questions about the culture of Michigan’s athletic department

In the past three years, the University of Michigan Athletic Department has:

Which begs a simple but critical question: Is what happened with Moore a serious but isolated incident or a symbol of a broader cultural problem within the walls of Michigan athletics?

This, in essence, is what investigators from the Washington, D.C.-based law firm Jenner & Block are trying to determine. The attorneys were initially appointed in October after an anonymous tip about Moore, who was charged Friday with one felony count and two felonies after he broke into the home of the woman he was reportedly having an affair with and threatened to harm himself.

But sources familiar with the situation say they are also delving into procedures within the department, something Domenico Grasso, the university’s interim president, alluded to in his letter to the Michigan community.

“All the facts need to be known here, so the university’s investigation will continue. I encourage anyone with information about this matter to confidentially contact UMconcerns@jenner.com,” Grasso wrote.

People associated with Michigan athletics told CNN they believe there is a cultural problem, if not indifference, then certainly arrogance.

“They go beyond bigots, they go beyond protecting the Michigan brand,” one former employee said. “It’s been so big for so long, it’s permeating the whole place.”

The university has long been highly regarded both academically and athletically, giving rise to the idea of ​​the “Michigan Man.”

The phrase is rooted in the organization’s lore but gained traction in 1989 when basketball coach Bill Frieder announced he was leaving for Arizona State after the season. Feeling insulted that Frieder would walk away from his team, then-athletic director Bo Schembechler handed Frieder his walking papers, declaring that “a Michigan man will coach Michigan.”

Steve Fisher wasn’t a Michigan guy geographically — he grew up in Illinois — but he had been on the staff for seven years when Schembechler handed him the reins of the team. The Wolverines won their only national title that year. (Ironically, Fisher was later fired after becoming embroiled in an NCAA investigation that included his players and booster Ed Martin.)

Of the coaches involved in the various scandals that have plagued the department in the past few years, most have been Michigan men. A Michigan Tech graduate, Pearson spent 23 years on the staff before becoming the head hockey coach. Howard was part of the Fab Five, Fisher’s group of young players who went to back-to-back national title games. Harbaugh played quarterback for Schembechler. The Stallions coached there for five years and Moore for six, both starting under Harbaugh.

It’s also worth noting that athletic director Ward Manuel, who has been in charge during this spate of scandal, is also a “Michigan man.” He also played for Schembechler.

In light of everything that has happened, the idea of ​​the “Michigan Man” is now under fire, with people wondering whether a term meant to indicate a successful way of doing things is actually further evidence of an echo chamber.

The university’s response to the recent scandals has been more of a “prove it” than an “admit guilt”, either drawing hard lines in the sand or moving slowly to act on the alleged misconduct.

For example, when initially confronted with evidence related to the Stallions’ sign-stealing scandal, the university responded. While critics complained about the deteriorating integrity of the game at Michigan, the university argued in its response to the initial notice of claim that the sign theft had nothing to do with the competition.

When Harbaugh faced recruiting violations stemming from the COVID era, he repeatedly lied to investigators, according to the NCAA, despite being offered text messages and even a receipt for a hamburger he had at breakfast with a recruit, which was deemed an inappropriate recruiting benefit. He denied that he lied, saying only that he did not remember being there.

Likewise, former Volunteer coach and former Michigan goalie Steve Shields filed a Title IX complaint in 2021, claiming he was fired for making complaints about Pearson. That prompted investigators from an outside law firm to conduct an anonymous survey with players and staff of the university’s men’s hockey team.

According to what was reported by “The Athletic” newspaper. The players alleged that Pearson forced them to lie about contact tracing during the pandemic, called the player a “Jew” and failed to prevent his director of operations from abusing female employees. The survey summary was completed on June 8, 2021, and the law firm’s final report was completed on May 5, 2022. The school did not fire Pearson, choosing only not to renew his contract, and announced the decision in August 2022. Pearson promised to clear his name and said the accusations would be proven wrong, but no major revelations have yet been made.

Meanwhile, Howard was fined and suspended by the Big Ten after being involved in a post-game altercation with a Wisconsin assistant coach in 2022, telling him he would adhere to a zero-tolerance policy for bad behavior in the future.

In December 2023, Howard and strength coach John Sanderson had to be fired after arguing over the playing status of Howard’s son, Jace. Sanderson, who spent 15 years with the men’s basketball program, was reassigned after the skirmishes and eventually resigned. Howard, who was sidelined after being treated for a heart condition, returned to the bench three days after the altercation with Sanderson and was only fired at the end of the season, when the Wolverines finished 8-24.

All of this leads to the most dangerous situation, the one involving Moore.

Despite serving a one-game suspension due to a post-Covid recruiting investigation, Moore was promoted to head coach after Harbaugh left for the NFL. The school backed its head coach again in August of this year, when Moore was given a two-year prison sentence for failing to cooperate in the Stallions investigation, but he kept his job.

Sources say the relationship between the married Moore and his co-worker has been an “open secret,” both on campus and within the larger athletic community for the past two years. The relationship in itself was not grounds for dismissal, but because the woman informed him, he was required, under university policy, to disclose it.

per Michigan Standard Practice Manual Policies, “The obligation to report an intimate relationship rests solely with the supervisor. The obligation to prepare and monitor the management plan lies with the senior administrative body. Failure to adhere to this policy will be subject to penalties up to and including dismissal from work.”

But they both denied the relationship, and the university’s initial investigation found nothing.

During Moore’s arraignment Friday, prosecutor Katie Rezmierski said Moore and the woman had been in a relationship “for several years” until she ended it Monday and — when Moore responded with a flurry of texts and calls — on Wednesday went to university officials to clarify the issue. Moore was fired that day.

However, how he was fired raises concerns about how things will be handled at Michigan. A source familiar with the matter said that Manuel fired Moore without anyone from human resources present, and although this is not required, this is standard behavior in most companies.

Manuel’s future is also now in question. The university’s Board of Trustees held a call Thursday to discuss Manuel’s future, the source familiar with the matter told CNN. He remains in office despite reports of his dismissal.

Regardless, Moore’s firing set in motion a series of dangerous and frightening events this week, prosecutors allege. After he was fired, Moore broke into the woman’s apartment, grabbed kitchen shears and a butter knife, and threatened his life, Rezmierski said.

“I’m going to kill myself. I’m going to make you watch,” Moore allegedly said, according to Rezmirski. My blood is on your hands. “You ruined my life.”

Moore was arrested and jailed for two days before being charged and posting bail.

On Friday, he appeared in a small brick room wearing a white prison uniform with his hands folded in front of him. He said little, largely sticking to “Yes, your honor,” as his lawyer defended him. He was later released on bail, according to his attorney, and will be required to wear a GPS monitoring device and must not contact the woman or approach her residence. The judge in the case pleaded not guilty on his behalf.

A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Jan. 22, just days after the college football season ends.