Sherrone Moore contract: Michigan football ends limbo, finalizes deal

Sherrone Moore had been operating as Michigan football head coach since January without a signed contract . That included the Wolverines ' first two games this season.

Michigan (1-1) finally on Wednesday announced Moore's full contract has been completed , after nearly eight months in limbo. It came four days after the Wolverines' 31-12 debacle vs. Texas, their first home loss in four years .

Reporting from USA TODAY uncovered Moore was one of a handful of head football coaches operating under a memorandum of understanding (MOU). That document outlined some basic parameters of Moore's future deal, including salary and bonus provisions ( five-year deal worth $6 million annually, plus incentives ), but lacked specifics and legalese for circumstances in which Moore could be fired for cause.

Moore is facing potential punishment from the NCAA from its investigation into the program's alleged sign-stealing operation.

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"Our University of Michigan administration led by President Santa Ono and Athletic Director Warde Manuel has been tremendous throughout this process, and I am excited to have this full contract completed," Moore said in a statement . "Their support for our team is greatly appreciated and all three of us are aligned in our goals for this football program. We want the attention to be on the players that work so hard to represent this team and university at the highest level. All of my focus is and always will be centered on the mental, physical and spiritual development of the young men that suit up to play for Michigan. Go Blue!"

Moore was hired to the staff as tight ends coach by Jim Harbaugh in 2018 after spending four seasons at Central Michigan. Moore jumped over to offensive line coach beginning in 2021 while also adding co-offensive coordinator to his duties. Last year, he was the offensive coordinator and went 4-0 as interim coach filling in for Harbaugh suspensions as Michigan went 15-0 to win the national championship .

[ Michigan fans : Celebrate the 2023 national title with Free Press commemorative books: "Blue Reign " and "Maize & Grand, " and check out special front page wall art from the championship win. ]

"We are excited to announce that the full contract for University of Michigan Football Coach Sherrone Moore has been signed by all parties," read a joint statement from Ono and Manuel . "He is a proven leader and has been a great ambassador during his seven-plus years representing Michigan. Our university and athletic department leadership is behind Coach Moore, his coaching staff and the great student-athletes that compete on the field and in the classroom."

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Moore was named the school's 21st head coach Jan. 26 , two days after Harbaugh left to coach the NFL's Los Angeles Chargers . Moore is the first Black full-time head coach in Michigan football history.

Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X @RealTonyGarcia .

He's a co-host on "Hail Yes!" your go-to Wolverines podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts ( Apple , Spotify ).

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Sherrone Moore contract: Michigan football ends limbo, finalizes deal