Like so many issues on college, it began with rumors. Subtle behavioral changes, unintentional stares, and hallway talk that frequently looked too cautious to be innocent had been present for months. The worst-kept secret in Michigan’s athletic department had turned into an unavoidable reality by the time December arrived.
On December 10, 2025, Sherrone Moore—once seen as a rising talent in college football coaching—was fired with reason. Beneath a sterile HR term, the reason was the revelation of a two-year relationship with his executive assistant, Paige Shiver, a subordinate. Moore’s demise continued after he was fired. He was taken into custody outside Shiver’s Pittsfield Township apartment in a matter of hours. The accusations? Much more concerning than infractions of the policy.
Shiver reported stalking, threats, and an illegal break-in in a 911 call. Moore was charged with third-degree home invasion and domestic stalking when police discovered him at the site. He pleaded not guilty. Moore, who was freed on a $25,000 bond, is prohibited from contacting the alleged victim and is currently wearing a GPS tether.
No charges have been brought against Paige Shiver. She hasn’t been let go either.
Her ongoing employment is the final detail that has caused a rift in public opinion. The policy in Michigan is very clear: the supervisor is the only one responsible for disclosure. According to university ethical norms, the rationale is to shield staff members from possible pressure or career reprisal. Therefore, the institution views Shiver as the protected party rather than the offender despite her close closeness to the infraction.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Sherrone Banfield Moore |
| Age | 39 |
| Roles | Former Head Football Coach, University of Michigan |
| Tenure as Head Coach | 2024–2025 |
| Prior Positions | Tight Ends Coach, Co-Offensive Coordinator, Offensive Line Coach at Michigan |
| Playing Career | Offensive guard, University of Oklahoma |
| Notable Success | Led Michigan to 2024 National Championship as part of staff |
| Family | Married (wife: Kelli), three daughters |
| Alleged Involvement | Subject of investigation related to conduct with a staff member |
| Reference | en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherrone_Moore (biography & career) |
Still, many people find it hard to believe this story. Particularly when Shiver’s own behavior seems more intricate. After the affair soured, she allegedly came clean about it. According to others familiar with the administration’s timetable, she came out in person and provided what one insider called “receipts, messages, and emails,” all of which demonstrated the close relationship she had with Moore.
This timing, according to some, seemed calculated—even retaliatory. That she was passed over, supplanted, or wronged before she decided to speak. However, proponents point out that a lot of victims in power-unbalanced relationships put off disclosing because they are afraid or feel pressured by their jobs. Both opinions, which are extremely persuasive, are still being expressed in forums, news conferences, and online discussions.
By mid-December, the controversy had grown to be more than just a football program footnote. A more widespread institutional crisis had resulted from it. A pregnancy, a forced abortion, and even a story of Moore reportedly putting a knife to Shiver’s throat were all widely reported. Police have not verified any of those accusations. However, their very existence serves as a reminder of how easily rumors may overshadow facts, particularly when a subject involves sex, power, and a football club that is widely watched.
Many people within Schembechler Hall had recognized something wasn’t right long before any official action was taken, according to a high-ranking university booster who called the situation “a slow-motion trainwreck.” They said, “There were too many closed doors, too many sidelong glances.” “It was unavoidable.”
It was the familiarity of that quote, not its drama, that made me pause. In every institution where power dynamics are unrestrained, you can sense it. Long before the headlines appear, the energy changes.
Naturally, social media has only made the conversation more acerbic. Moore is being called everything from an abuser to a failing leader. Shiver, on the other hand, has been the target of hate speech on the internet due to claims that she manipulated her relationship and position to advance and then pull it down. The biggest protests are coming from Michigan alumni, many of whom were caught off guard by the collapse and had praised Moore’s journey from offensive line coach to interim head coach.
Shiver, on the other hand, has not made any remarks, interviews, or denials. Moore’s attorney has only made one statement, claiming that she has a “long history of domestic violence.” The public’s mood was reset by that one sentence alone. For many, it changed the topic from a sensational scandal to a more complex narrative about workplace safety, intimidation, and the limits of protection.
The argument is still ongoing, though. Was it all Moore’s fault? Or were the gray areas—those times when a business relationship becomes personal but is still hidden behind layers of familiarity and trust—not taken into consideration by institutional policies?
Michigan will proceed. Candidates to take Moore’s place permanently are already being discussed, and interim coach Biff Poggi will take over for the Citrus Bowl. However, the actual fallout won’t happen on the field. Boardrooms, HR departments, court proceedings, and—possibly most obviously—a divided populace will all witness it.
