Michigan interim president Domenico Grasso issued an update regarding former football coach Sherrone Moore’s firing in a video posted to YouTube on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Grasso, who was named interim president on May 9, said the school is continuing its investigation to uncover any other potential misconduct, not only in the football program but throughout the entire athletic department.
Moore was fired last week for having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. He was later arrested and charged with felony home invasion of the apartment of the staff member a few hours after his firing. Moore was also charged with misdemeanor stalking and breaking and entering.
“We are continuing the investigation of Coach Moore’s actions to uncover any additional germane and material information and to assess whether there may be related misconduct by others,” Grasso said in the video. “And we will not stop there. We have expanded the Jenner & Block assignment to include an independent evaluation of culture, conduct and procedures throughout our athletics department. In parallel, we are committed to strengthening the functional capacity of our university-wide Ethics, Integrity, and Compliance Office within the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.”
Grasso also mentioned the qualities the school is looking for in its next football coach.
‘We intend to hire an individual who can and will instill that spirit and will represent the highest values that our university holds dear,’ Grasso said. ‘We will hire an individual who is of the highest moral character, and who will serve as a role model and respected leader for the entire football program, and who will, with dignity and integrity, be a fierce competitor.’
The interim president also said the university won’t be distracted by speculation and rumors. Grasso said the university will ‘leave no stone unturned’ in the investigation.
‘Any further action we take will be based on credible evidence and findings developed through a rigorous investigation,’ he said. ‘If the University learns of information through this investigation or otherwise that warrants the termination of any employee, we will act swiftly, just as we did in the case of Coach Moore. I ask that you keep an open mind, allow investigators to do their work, and not make assumptions. I commit to doing the same.”
Michigan’s athletic department has faced a few scandals in recent years, including the firing of Moore. The university was struck with huge fines from the NCAA following an investigation of an advanced sign-stealing operation, which spanned multiple seasons and was led by former staffer Connor Stalions.
Then-head coach Jim Harbaugh, who’s now the head coach of the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers, received 14 years in show-cause penalties, which essentially bars him from ever coaching at the collegiate level again.
‘This is no doubt a challenging time for our community,’ Grasso said. ‘I understand the anger and disillusionment that many in our community may be experiencing, but our core values and principles will be embodied in how we respond to these challenges and will reflect our character.’