ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan is continuing to confront the fallout from the abrupt firing of head football coach Sherrone Moore, as President Domenico Grasso emphasized in a campus-wide email on Thursday. Grasso highlighted the university’s rapid response and reiterated that the inquiry into Moore’s conduct remains active.

In the message, reviewed by The Athletic, Grasso explained that the decision to terminate Moore’s contract was made immediately after investigators presented their findings. “Earlier this week, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics dismissed head football coach Sherrone Moore with cause for violating University policy by engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member,” he wrote. “When the findings of a University investigation into Coach Moore’s behavior were presented on Wednesday, we immediately terminated his employment. There is absolutely no tolerance for this conduct at the University of Michigan. None.”

Grasso underscored that the investigation has not yet concluded and encouraged anyone with relevant information to come forward through a confidential email channel. “All of the facts here must be known,” he added.

Moore, 39, remained in custody at the Washtenaw County Jail on Thursday following a series of incidents that occurred shortly after his removal from the program. According to police dispatch logs, officers were called on Wednesday afternoon to the home of a female football staff member as well as to Moore’s listed address. He was detained later that day in Saline, just outside Ann Arbor, in connection with an alleged assault investigation, the Pittsfield Township Police Department confirmed.

Police officials stated that Moore is scheduled to appear in court on Friday for arraignment. Both local law enforcement and the county prosecutor declined further comment due to the ongoing inquiry.

The president’s remarks aligned closely with a statement released a day earlier by athletic director Warde Manuel, who said Moore’s conduct “constitutes a clear violation of University policy” and reaffirmed the athletic department’s zero-tolerance stance.

Moore had long been a part of Michigan football, serving as an assistant under former head coach Jim Harbaugh from 2018 through 2023 before being elevated to lead the program. Over his two seasons as head coach, the Wolverines compiled a 17-8 record, finishing 9-3 this year. Associate head coach Biff Poggi has been appointed interim head coach and will lead the team into the Dec. 31 Citrus Bowl against Texas.

According to individuals familiar with the situation, the investigation began after the university received an anonymous tip about the alleged relationship. While early stages of the inquiry yielded no concrete evidence, additional information surfaced within the last 24 hours that led directly to Moore’s firing.

Many members of the coaching and support staff learned of the decision during a meeting led by Manuel. One team source said Moore was present in the football building earlier that day but did not attend the meeting where the news was shared.

The timing of the dismissal caught many within the program by surprise. Moore had recently been shaping his staff for the next season, including bringing veteran assistant Kerry Coombs on board to oversee special teams. Just two days before his removal, he spoke with reporters about Michigan’s 2026 recruiting class and the upcoming bowl matchup.

During that availability, Moore expressed confidence in the team’s direction, saying, “I think we’ve got a really good foundation of where we need to be, but we’ve got a lot to work on.”

Moore’s tenure as head coach lasted only two years but included significant turbulence. He stepped into the role following Michigan’s 2023 national championship, a period of transition marked by Harbaugh’s departure for the NFL. Michigan stumbled early under Moore, opening with a 4-3 record after losing only three games in the previous three seasons combined. However, momentum returned late in the year with an upset win over Ohio State and the signing of Bryce Underwood, the top-ranked recruit in the 2025 class.

Expectations entering this season were high, but the Wolverines struggled. Losses to Oklahoma in Week 2 and a lopsided defeat to USC in October shifted the tone of the year. Moore’s final game was a 27-9 loss to Ohio State, ending the team’s four-game winning streak in the rivalry.

Compounding the challenges was the lingering Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal. Moore received a two-game suspension this season for deleting text messages exchanged with Stalions and was already slated to miss the 2026 season opener. Although the NCAA preserved Michigan’s victories and national title, it imposed a substantial financial penalty that could total more than $30 million.

Moore had been in the second year of a five-year, $5.6 million per-year contract. While the agreement protected him from termination based on NCAA violations tied to the Harbaugh era, it included provisions allowing the university to dismiss him for misconduct or other policy violations — the grounds ultimately cited by Michigan administrators.

With the investigation still unfolding, the university has signaled that additional details are likely to emerge. For now, Michigan’s football program faces an uncertain path forward as it prepares for the postseason and considers the long-term implications of Moore’s departure.