On Wednesday, the swirling controversies engulfing the Michigan Wolverines football programme were temporarily set aside as the team, under interim coach Biff Poggi, secured a dramatic 27-24 victory over the Texas Longhorns in the Citrus Bowl.
A New Leader Steers the Ship
The game at Orlando's Camping World Stadium became a showcase for interim head coach Biff Poggi. The 65-year-old took charge following the recent hiring of Kyle Whittingham, the former Utah head coach brought in to replace the fired Sherrone Moore. While Whittingham made a brief appearance in the ESPN broadcast booth, the day belonged to Poggi, who delivered on a bold pre-game promise.
Poggi had told a radio show he planned to "turn freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood loose", moving away from a season-long emphasis on the passer's running game. Underwood rewarded this faith, completing 14 of his first 24 passes for two touchdowns and 114 yards. Although he threw an interception late in the third quarter, he responded with a spectacular rushing touchdown early in the fourth. A video review upheld the score, and the subsequent extra point gave Michigan a decisive lead they would not relinquish.
The Shadow of the Sherrone Moore Scandal
Despite the on-field success, the programme remains under a dark cloud. The dismissal of head coach Sherrone Moore earlier this month is the most serious of several scandals. Moore was fired on December 10 following allegations of an improper relationship with a staff member. The situation escalated dramatically when the married father of three was arrested and charged with breaking and entering, home invasion, and stalking.
According to police dispatch audio obtained by the Daily Mail, a 911 caller alleged Moore assaulted her, claimed he had a knife, and had been stalking her 'for months'. The incident occurred at the apartment of Moore's executive assistant, Paige Shiver, though she has not been officially named as the victim in either the alleged assault or the inappropriate relationship. A dispatcher noted Moore's wife, Kelli, described him as 'suicidal' after losing his job. Moore was granted a $25,000 bond, has pleaded not guilty, and faces up to six years in prison if convicted.
A Pattern of Problems and an Internal Investigation
The troubles extend beyond Moore. Another former assistant, Matt Weiss, was charged in March with hacking and identity theft for allegedly stealing private images from student athletes at over 100 universities. Weiss has pleaded not guilty to all 24 charges. Furthermore, director of football operations Jim Minick and assistant coaches Denard Robinson and Greg Scruggs have all been arrested on suspicion of DUI in recent years.
In response to this series of incidents, the University of Michigan's athletic department has reportedly launched a wide-ranging internal investigation into its culture. The school has hired the Chicago-based law firm Jenner & Block, which previously investigated Moore's conduct, to lead this new probe. It will examine not only Moore's dismissal but also the origin and handling of the numerous scandals that have plagued the athletic programmes.
This off-field turmoil stands in stark contrast to the programme's recent competitive success, which includes a national championship under Jim Harbaugh in the 2023 season and strong current rankings for its men's basketball and hockey teams. The Citrus Bowl victory offered a moment of respite, but significant questions about the programme's future and culture remain unanswered.
