Ann Arbor, Michigan – The University of Michigan has officially secured head football coach Sherrone Moore with a new contract, which comes amid concerns related to a sign-stealing scandal. According to the terms of the agreement, the university has indicated that it will not fire Moore for cause based on its current knowledge of his involvement in the ongoing investigation involving former staff member Connor Stalions.
The NCAA issued a notice of allegations last month, indicating that Moore could potentially face a suspension. One point of contention involves his decision to delete a thread of 52 text messages with Stalions on the very day the scandal was uncovered in October 2023. According to the contract, which has surfaced through an open-records request, Moore can be suspended without pay or terminated if the university discovers any violations of the governing rules that occur after the effective date of the agreement.
What’s particularly noteworthy is that the language in the contract states Moore cannot be terminated for past actions if the university was already aware of those actions prior to his signing the agreement. The contract, which has a start date of January 27, 2024, was signed on September 6, 2024, making it a point of interest given the scandal.
Since taking the head coach position after Jim Harbaugh moved to the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers, Moore has been under scrutiny while simultaneously being rewarded with a deal that runs until January 31, 2029. His base salary is approximately $6 million for the current season, including incentives and provisions that provide annual increases.
Additionally, if the university were to terminate Moore without cause, they would be responsible for nearly $19 million in potential payouts, making the financial implications significant. While such clauses about not terminating for prior infractions are rare, they have been seen before, such as in the recent agreement between Kansas and their basketball coach Bill Self.
In summary, Moore’s contract details reveal a complicated landscape for the University of Michigan as they navigate both a new coaching agreement and the challenges posed by an ongoing NCAA investigation.
