Sherrone Moore has had a remarkable run as the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, highlighted by two victories over archrival Ohio State. However, his overall performance this season has left fans wanting more, particularly due to a lackluster offense.

The Wolverines have struggled to show they can compete with the best in the Big Ten, with disappointing offensive outputs in losses to Oklahoma and USC, where they could only manage 13 points in each game. Following a victory against Michigan State, they are currently favored by 21.5 points against Purdue.

Despite the talent of freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, expectations for a high-scoring attack haven’t been met in critical matchups, causing speculation about Moore’s job security to intensify.

Contract and Buyout Details

Moore’s contract stipulates a base salary of $5.5 million plus additional compensation, lasting until 2029, and includes a retention bonus of $500,000 per year. If he were to be dismissed during the 2025 season, the buyout would total $16.5 million, which reflects his earnings for the season up to that point. If let go after the season, Michigan would owe him $12.375 million for the last three years of the contract. Moore has a contractual obligation to seek other employment, which could mitigate Michigan’s buyout costs based on any salary he earns elsewhere.

For Michigan, given the recent adjusted penalties from the NCAA due to a sign-stealing scandal, the financial implications of Moore’s potential firing are manageable. However, the concern remains regarding Underwood’s future should a coaching change occur, as it may prompt him to explore transferring. Michigan will need to ensure their star quarterback feels secure before making any coaching adjustments for the end of the season.