The University of Michigan, in collaboration with head football coach Sherrone Moore, has established an agreement that appears to prevent the university from firing Moore for cause based on current information linked to his potential involvement in the sign-stealing controversy associated with former staff member Connor Stalions.

Recently, the NCAA handed down a notice of allegations concerning this case. The notice suggested that Moore might face penalties, including a suspension and a show-cause penalty, due to his alleged deletion of 52 text messages with Stalions in October 2023, coinciding with the emergence of the sign-stealing claims.

Documents obtained by YSL News Sports via an open-records request reveal that the agreement stipulates Moore can be suspended without pay or terminated for cause “if the University determines that the Head Coach has been involved in a violation of the Governing Rules, whether prior to or after the Effective Date of this Agreement.”

This type of phrasing is standard in coaching contracts within college sports.

Moreover, the contract includes a clause stating: “Notwithstanding the foregoing, a violation of the Governing Rules that occurred prior to the Effective Date, provided that the University had actual knowledge of the related facts or alleged facts before executing this Agreement, shall not constitute grounds for termination with cause ”

This contract officially starts on January 27, 2024, but was signed by Moore and Michigan’s athletic director Warde Manuel on September 6, 2024, and by Michigan President Santa Ono on September 10, 2024.

This agreement follows Moore’s promotion to head coach about eight months ago after Jim Harbaugh left to take the head coaching job with the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers.

When Moore was appointed as head coach, he signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) detailing his initial compensation and general terms for his future contract. However, the MOU stated that his hiring was dependent on executing a formal employment contract within 90 days of signing, a deadline that expired on April 25.

Furthermore, the MOU lacked important language typical in head coaching contracts, especially regarding situations involving potential terminations for cause. The NCAA is currently investigating Moore due to the allegations involving sign stealing, following his previous role as Michigan’s offensive coordinator.

Details on Sherrone Moore’s Compensation and Contract

The financial aspects and duration of Moore’s contract align with the MOU. The agreement extends until January 31, 2029, with Moore earning $6 million this season, which includes an annual retention bonus of $500,000 if he remains the head coach until January 31 — the end of each contract year. Additionally, the contract guarantees a 2% increase in his current $500,000 base salary and $5.5 million designated as “additional compensation” each year.

If the university decides to terminate Moore without cause, it would owe him a payment equivalent to 75% of the remaining base salary and additional compensation in the contract. However, this amount would be reduced based on Moore’s salary from any new position he secures. Currently, the initial payout value would be around $19 million.

Precedents for Sherrone Moore’s Employment Terms

Although the conditions barring Michigan from firing Moore for cause are somewhat unusual, they are not entirely unheard of.

Kansas’s officials and men’s basketball coach Bill Self entered a contract in November 2023 that included comparable terms. This agreement was finalized shortly after the NCAA’s Independent Resolution Panel concluded that Self would not experience further penalties stemming from an infractions case dating back to 2017 and accepted Kansas’s self-imposed sanctions during the 2022-23 season as adequate.

While dealing with ongoing investigations, Kansas secured the 2022 NCAA championship title. Before the 2022-23 season, the university proactively imposed a four-game suspension on Self and assistant coach Kurtis Townsend, along with various restrictions, to mitigate the risk of greater penalties.

The new contract for Self specifies he cannot be terminated for cause “due to an infractions matter arising from the same set of operative facts considered in” the recent IARP decision.

Contributing: Tom Schad and Lorenzo Reyes, YSL News