The University of Michigan has clarified why a football staff member involved in an “inappropriate relationship” with head coach Sherrone Moore was not dismissed from their position.

In response to an inquiry from USA Today Sports on December 15, the university cited its Policy No. 201.97 as the guiding document in this decision.

This policy, outlined on the university’s website, explicitly states that supervisors are prohibited from initiating or attempting to initiate intimate relationships with individuals they supervise.

Further, the policy provides protection for employees whose career progression could be affected by a supervisor, even if there’s no direct reporting line. Violation of this policy by a supervisor could result in their dismissal.

Meanwhile, the University of Michigan’s football team is deep into preparations for their upcoming bowl game, yet the recent scandal continues to cast a shadow over the program. “It’s been a challenging period,” interim head coach Biff Poggi shared with reporters on December 15. “There has been a lot of anger and disbelief to process,” he added.

Moore, 39, was terminated on Wednesday, December 10, after an investigation found “credible evidence” of the former head coach’s relationship with the staff member. 

During an arraignment hearing on Friday, December 12, it was alleged that the staff member broke off her relationship with Moore on Monday, December 8, which had been going on “for years.”

Whether or not Moore was the one responsible for initiating the relationship with the staff member is irrelevant, according to the policy. 

“Recognizing that intimate relationships may develop in the workplace that are not initiated by a supervisor and are free from coercion and abuse of power, immediate disclosure of the relationship by the supervisor is required,” the policy states. 

Upon disclosure of the relationship, “a management plan must be initiated, implemented and continuously monitored.”

“Although encouraged, Supervisees have no obligation to disclose,” the policy explains, providing context for why the staffer has not been fired. 

The relationship between Moore and the woman was exposed after the staff member cooperated with the university’s investigation. 

According to University of Michigan insider John U. Bacon, the woman presented a trove of “receipts” to school administrators on the morning of December 10. 

During an appearance on Fox 2 Detroit’s Good Day Detroit on Thursday, December 11, Bacon said the woman presented “the text messages, the emails, documents and so on, laying out the details of their relationship and the conflicts thereof.”

After the staff member broke off their relationship, Moore allegedly sent her “numerous texts from that time moving forward that she did not answer, did not respond to, did not want,” Kati Rezmierski, first assistant prosecutor for Washtenaw County, said during Friday’s arraignment hearing.

Shortly after his termination on Wednesday, Moore allegedly broke into the apartment of the staff member and threatened to harm himself.

“[Moore] immediately then proceeded to a kitchen drawer, grabbed several butter knives and a pair of kitchen scissors and began to threaten his own life,” Rezmierski argued.

Moore was charged with one count of third-degree felony home invasion, one count misdemeanor stalking related to a domestic relationship and one count misdemeanor breaking and entering. 

Former University of Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore loved to gush about his wife, Kelli Moore, before allegations of an “inappropriate relationship” with a staff member led to his downfall. Sherrone, 39, and Kelli got married in 2015 and share three daughters: Shiloh, born in 2019, Solei, born in 2022, and Sadie, born earlier […]

He was released on $25,000 bond and ordered to wear a GPS tracking device, in addition to cutting off all contact with the staff member.

If convicted on all charges, Moore faces six years, 90 days in prison. 

Moore’s next court date is scheduled for January 22. 

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).