Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore finally has an executed contract.
Nearly two weeks after USA TODAY Sports reported that Moore’s deal as head coach had yet to be finalized, Michigan announced on social media Wednesday that the contract has now been signed by all parties. The university had previously said Moore would receive a five-year contract worth roughly $6 million per year.
‘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.’
In a joint statement, Ono and Manuel called Moore ‘a proven leader’ and ‘a great ambassador,’ while saying the university and athletic department leadership is behind him and his team.
The full execution of the deal comes nearly eight months after the university promoted Moore to head coach following Jim Harbaugh’s departure to become head coach of the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers. It also comes a few days after Michigan’s 31-12 loss to No. 3 Texas, which dropped the Wolverines to 1-1 on the season.
At the time of his hiring as head coach, Moore signed a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, with the university that outlined the basic pay and general provisions of his eventual contract. But the MOU did not include some of the important, more detailed language that serve as the cornerstones of head-coaching contracts − particularly when it comes to possible acrimonious situations such as a coach being fired for cause. Moore, who previously worked as Michigan’s offensive coordinator, is facing potential punishment from the NCAA as part of its investigation into an alleged sign stealing operation.
Follow the reporters on social media @Tom_Schad and @ByBerkowitz.