Allegations of Workplace Involvement

Paige Shiver, a former member of the Michigan athletics staff, has alleged that other coaches within the program were fully aware of her long-term romantic relationship with former head football coach Sherrone Moore. In a recent interview with “Good Morning America,” Shiver claimed that the department essentially co-opted their relationship, assigning her the responsibility of managing Moore’s emotional stability during his tenure.


According to Shiver, senior coaching staff frequently directed her to intervene when Moore became agitated, even during critical game moments. Shiver stated she complied with these demands primarily out of fear for her professional standing, noting, “No one cared about my feelings. They wanted to use me to help him so that they could get through the season.”


Legal Fallout and Personal Disclosure

Moore recently received an 18-month probation sentence following a plea deal related to a misdemeanor trespassing charge and the malicious use of a telecommunications device. The legal issues stemmed from a confrontation at Shiver’s residence following his termination from the university in December, which was triggered by the discovery of their relationship. Authorities reported that during the incident, Moore expressed suicidal ideations and blamed Shiver for the loss of his position.


During the interview, Shiver also opened up about a 2022 pregnancy that occurred during the early stages of their relationship. She revealed that, following medical advice regarding her diagnosis of Pompe Disease, she chose to have an abortion. Shiver stated that Moore was aware of the situation and had encouraged her to prioritize her own health.


Athletic Department Response

University of Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel expressed a deep sense of personal and professional betrayal upon learning of the affair. Manuel noted that he had previously established clear expectations regarding staff conduct following prior misconduct scandals at the university.


“It’s the best word that I can use. I felt hurt for all the staff and the student-athletes and the university,” Manuel stated. He emphasized that while there were rumors, the university could not act without concrete evidence. Once the facts of the relationship were confirmed, however, he felt compelled to take decisive action to maintain the integrity of the department.


A History of Instability

Moore’s departure marks yet another turbulent chapter for the Michigan athletic program. His firing follows a string of controversies that have plagued the university, including:

  • The federal indictment of former co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss for allegedly hacking female student-athletes.
  • Extensive NCAA investigations regarding sign-stealing allegations during the tenure of Jim Harbaugh.
  • Challenges involving the men's basketball program during the Juwan Howard era.

In the wake of these events, the university has announced a comprehensive investigation into the internal culture of its athletic department to address the series of high-profile scandals.