One day after the Big Ten suspended Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh for the rest of the regular season, the Wolverines notched a major road win under interim head coach Sherrone Moore. In a tearful post-game interview that quickly went viral, Moore, 37, began by thanking the Lord and Harbaugh but then used explicit language [Editor’s note: The preceding link contains language that some may find offensive].
Moore, the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, filled Harbaugh’s shoes on short notice. Michigan had asked a judge to grant a temporary restraining order so Harbaugh could be on the sidelines. But 90 minutes before kickoff at Penn State, Michigan learned the suspension would be in place for at least one game.
“We were just prepared to adjust however we needed to,” said Moore after leading the Wolverines to a 24-15 win. “It’s been a crazy 24 hours. But at the same time, our team is built for this. Our staff is built for this. We’re all built for it.”
Michigan’s Sherrone Moore: ‘I Wear My Heart on My Sleeve’
Speaking to Fox’s Jenny Taft immediately after Saturday’s victory, Moore was tearful and passionate. “I want to thank the Lord,” he responded when asked what the win meant to him. Next, Moore thanked Harbaugh, saying, “I love the s— out of you, man.” He also praised the university and its president, athletic director, players, and alumni. While turning to his players, Moore said, “These f—— guys…these guys did it!”
Moore, one of college football’s top young coordinators, said he’s “a pretty calm guy, but there’s a lot of emotions.” He added, “I wear my heart on my sleeve. I work extremely hard, as we all do. So it meant a lot for us to get this win in this situation.”
On social media, people shared clips of Moore’s interview, expressing confusion about the intensity. “He’s suspended, not dead???” someone commented about Harbaugh’s absence. Others noted the disconnect between invoking God’s name and then cursing. “’First off, I want to thank the Lord’… proceeds to drop multiple F-bombs,” someone wrote.
Moore, a member of Michigan’s coaching staff since 2018, describes himself as a “Christ follower” in his Instagram bio.
Michigan’s Suspension Comes Amid NCAA Inquiries
Michigan’s suspension by the Big Ten comes amid an ongoing NCAA investigation into a possible sign-stealing operation. The school also is under scrutiny for allegedly making impermissible contact with football recruits during the pandemic. Rulings from the NCAA aren’t expected until 2024.
In August, Michigan handed down self-imposed penalties on both Harbaugh and Moore, a tactic that schools sometimes use to “get out in front of the NCAA, show cooperation and mitigate some damages of an eventual punishment,” according to the Associated Press. The university suspended Harbaugh for the season’s first three games and Moore for the first game.
