Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore has been leading the Wolverines for over seven months, yet he still remains without a formal contract.
Most Michigan fans are well aware of that fact, but those who aren’t may find the whole situation a little strange.
Moore officially took the reins earlier this year after Jim Harbaugh departed for the NFL following Michigan’s national championship victory.
Following Michigan’s season-opening victory over Fresno State last Saturday, reports surfaced that Moore is currently working without a finalized contract.
“More than seven months after Michigan tapped Sherrone Moore as its replacement for Jim Harbaugh, the school’s new football coach continues without a contract,” A report from MLive said.
“USA Today reported the story last week, naming Moore as one of a handful of college football coaches across the country without a full-length contract.
“In January, Moore and Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel both signed a memorandum of understanding for a five-year, $30 million deal, framework meant to serve as a short-term stopgap for schools looking to quickly bridge hires.”
Manuel addressed the situation on Thursday, acknowledging that Moore’s contract, along with those of other Michigan assistants, is still being finalized.
“They are being worked on as we speak,” Manuel said. “I’ve signed a couple of the assistant coaches (to contracts). We had not only a transition in football (but) we had a transition in basketball, we’re dealing with NCAA matters, we’re dealing with the situation with our apparel provider and bringing on Legends as shortly as Saturday … These things take time, the contracts.”
Despite the delay in finalizing Moore’s contract, Manuel expressed full confidence in the leadership of his head coach.
“The memorandum of understanding is a legal document that does bind us and bind them to it, and it spells out pretty much everything that’s in the contract,” Manuel added.
“It’s just a long form with more details, more situations at hand. But listen, I’m very happy with him, very happy with our staff, and look forward to having that signed and it becoming a nonissue.”
The time required to finalize contracts, while not unusual, has taken longer than expected in Moore’s case.
“They just don’t happen overnight, and there are things that have popped up,” Manuel added. “But they’re being worked on. Sherrone knows our commitment to him; we know his commitment to us, and same thing with the assistant coaches.”
One such issue may involve the recent Notice of Allegations Michigan received from the NCAA in relation to an ongoing investigation into alleged sign-stealing. It’s possible this situation has contributed to the delay.
Meanwhile, Moore is fully focused on football. Tomorrow, his Wolverines face a major challenge at home as they take on the high-powered Texas Longhorns.
What are your thoughts on the situation?
Do you find it a little strange that Moore is still without a contract? … Should he be worried in any way? Or will everything work itself out?
More importantly, what are your thoughts on the Wolverines this season? … Do you give them any chance at repeating as national champions???