Michigan Orders Sweeping Probe Into Athletic Department Scandals

The University of Michigan has initiated an investigation to uncover the full depth of potential issues within its athletic department.

The embattled school has hired Jenner & Block, a large, Chicago-based law firm, to lead the probe into the athletic department’s culture and practices, including how various scandals developed and were handled. 

Michigan’s move to open the investigation closely follows the dismissal and arrest last week of head football coach Sherrone Moore. The firing happened after Moore had an improper relationship with a staff member, and then he was charged Friday with felony home invasion by prosecutors in Washtenaw County, Mich., describing a deeply troubling situation in which Moore broke into the staffer’s house and threatened to kill himself after the firing.  

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The Wolverines, however, have grappled with a far larger set of issues, particularly during the nine-year tenure of current athletic director Warde Manuel, including coaches fighting and mistreating staffers, a computer-hacking scandal involving a former football co-offensive coordinator, and recruiting violations.

Arguably most notable in the litany of situations, though, is a 2023 sign-sealing scandal involving a former assistant on the football staff. After another investigation by the NCAA and Big Ten Conference, penalties included 14 years’ worth of bans on now-departed coach Jim Harbaugh, and penalties that could cost more than $30 million. Michigan initially appealed that NCAA ruling, but later withdrew that effort.

Jenner & Block has worked with Michigan before, including looking into the inappropriate relationship between Moore and the staff member.

“Like so many Michiganders, fans, and alumni, I was shocked and disgusted by the revelations this week,” wrote university regent Jordan Acker in a social media post. “As I’ve taken more time to gather facts and understand the failures that led to this moment, one thing is clear: The University of Michigan must be a leader and best in all areas, including ethics, accountability, and transparency.

“The decision to retain Jenner & Block as an independent third party to thoroughly investigate what happened and how it was allowed to happen is a necessary first step. My expectations are clear: the findings of that investigation must be made public. Transparency is essential to restoring trust and meeting the expectations of the people of this state, our students, our faculty, our alumni, and everyone who believes in the values this university is supposed to represent. Anything less would fall short of who we claim to be,” Acker said.

Manuel is still in his post, despite fast scrutiny around him. Moore, meanwhile, is out on a $25,000 bond and has received a monitoring system and an order to undergo counseling.