What Jim Harbaugh’s leaving Michigan implies for NCAA investigations now that Sherrone Moore is the new coach
Sherrie Moore has been named as Jim Harbaugh’s replacement at Michigan. This answers the biggest question about the future of Wolverines football.
Moore also takes over as head coach while the program is still being looked into by the NCAA twice.
Moore was promoted from offensive coordinator after going 4-0 as acting head coach during the 2023 regular season.
He started as one of several temporary coaches and then got the job for the last three games while Harbaugh was suspended by the Big Ten.
Moore was a big part of making Michigan what it is today as an offensive line coach. He now takes over at a time when the Wolverines’ reputation is as high as it has ever been in the 21st century, after winning their first national title since 1997.
Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports says that these ongoing investigations are an important factor in why Harbaugh’s deal with Michigan didn’t include the option of firing him if he is found guilty of major NCAA violations.
Harbaugh is no longer there, though. Because Michigan punished itself for the first investigation, Moore already missed one game.
But there may be more punishments from that case that he will have to deal with as the head coach.
The second case in the NCAA, the sign-stealing scandal, could also arrive at Moore’s door as the enforcement staff tries to find out how many Michigan coaches knew about Connor Stallion’s illegal in-person scouting scheme, if any.
Sherrie Moore was named Michigan’s new athletic director on Friday. He takes over for Jim Harbaugh, who left earlier this week to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Moore’s contract lasts for five years and pays him a base salary of $500,000. In the first year, he gets an extra $5 million.
In each of the next three years, his salary will go up by 2%, and Moore will also get $500k per contractual year if he stays on as the head coach for the whole year.
Moore can also get bonuses of up to $3.5 million, with $500,000 for winning a conference title and $1 million for getting the national title.
His buyout starts at $5 million and goes down by $1 million every year until it’s just $1 million left in the contract.
Moore was in charge of the offense for the Wolverines and filled in as head coach for four games last season while Harbaugh was suspended.
Moore went 4-0 in those matches, with wins at Penn State and Ohio State. He helped Michigan stay unbeaten on its way to the national championship.
“I have been building my entire coaching career over this opportunity and we can’t think of a better place to serve as head coach compared to at the University of Michigan,” Moore declared in a press release.
Michigan has a history of winning football games for 144 years, and we will do everything we can every day as a TEAM to keep that going. We won’t change our rules.
We will be a championship-level team that is smart, tough, reliable, relentless, and full of energy. We love football and play with love for the sport, the winged helmet, and each other.
Our goal is to be the best in the classroom, in our communities, and when we’re not playing sports. I’m excited to spend time with our players, coaches, and staff in my new job.
Michigan quickly chose Sherrone Moore, who was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach this year, to be Jim Harbaugh’s replacement as head coach. Moore was a key part of Michigan’s run to the championship this year.
Moore, who is 37, is the initial Black head coach in the school’s history. Michigan has a history of winning football games for 144 years, and we will try everything we can every day as a TEAM to keep that going.
Moore told the school, “I have been training my whole coaching career for this chance, and I can’t think of a better place to serve as head coach compared to at the University of Michigan.”
“We won’t change our rules.” We will be a championship-level team that is smart, tough, reliable, relentless, and full of energy. We love football and play with love for the game, the winged helmet, and each other.