Sherrone Moore’s new contract with Michigan contains 1 notable clause

Nov 18, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines interim head coach Sherrone Moore before the game against Maryland at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan announced last week that the school has finally signed head football coach Sherrone Moore to a new contract, and the deal includes one very noteworthy clause.

Moore’s 5-year, $30 million contract with Michigan includes standard language that allows the university to fire Moore with cause if the coach is found to have violated rules. However, the clause includes protection for any violation or alleged violation that occurred prior to the contract going into effect, assuming Michigan was aware of the allegations.

Here is the relevant language, according to a copy of the contract that was obtained by USA TODAY:

“Notwithstanding the foregoing, a violation of the Governing Rules which occurred prior to the Effective Date, to the extent the University had actual knowledge of the facts or alleged facts that are the basis for the violation prior to the execution of this Agreement by all parties, shall not be deemed a basis for termination with cause…”

In other words, Michigan gave Moore a Connor Stalions clause.

Moore is facing a show-cause penalty and possible suspension after NCAA investigators found that he deleted 52 text messages he exchanged with Stalions, who was said to be the orchestrator of Michigan’s illegal scouting operation. Moore later produced the texts after they were discovered, and the NCAA says he committed a Level 2 violation.

Moore was also suspended for the first game of the 2023 for his supposed role in Michigan violating recruiting rules during the pandemic dead period.

Even if Moore were to be suspended by the NCAA for deleting the Stalions text messages, he would still be paid by Michigan. The school also cannot use any of those violations as cause to fire the 38-year-old coach.

Moore had been coaching for a while without a finalized new contract, but the deal is now in place.