Michigan fires head coach Sherrone Moore amid program struggles
Michigan parts ways with Sherrone Moore and looks for a leader to rebuild its struggling football program.
- Four-star recruit Matt Ludwig was released from his letter-of-intent with Michigan football after the firing of head coach Sherrone Moore.
- Moore was fired after the university found “credible evidence” of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member and was later arrested.
- Ludwig, a tight end from Montana, had planned to enroll early at Michigan in January.
- Ludwig’s high school coach said the recruit and his family were “devastated” and “shocked” by the news.
Matt Ludwig, a four-star football recruit and one of Michigan’s top signees this year, graduated from Billings West High School in Montana Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 10, according to his high school coach, Rob Stanton.
“Our principal just bought him a cap and gown and just did (the ceremony) real quick in the hallway,’’ Stanton told USA TODAY Sports. “Then about 20 minutes later (Ludwig’s) phone was blowing up.’’
A tight end, Ludwig got blindsided. Suddenly was digesting the shocking news: Sherrone Moore had been abruptly fired as Michigan’s head football coach.
The school released a statement saying it had found “credible evidence” Moore engaged in an “inappropriate relationship with a staff member.” Later in the day, Moore was arrested as police investigated an alleged assault.
Ludwig, who planned to enroll at Michigan in January to get an early start, instead requested he be released from his letter of intent and the university has complied, according to Stanton.
Stanton said he thinks Ludwig already had emerged as a leader among Michigan’s signees.
“Just the bond he had with all those guys was pretty special,” Stanton said, “and I think he did a good job of helping get some other people there.”
Now it remains unclear who, like Ludwig, will leave that group behind.
Stanton said he visited Ludwig at the family’s home Wednesday and “he was just really devastated, shocked, all the emotions with the news that he received. Right now he’s in the stage of processing everything.”
Ludwig’s father, Matt Ludwig Sr., on Dec. 11 told USA TODAY Sports by text message, “Currently exploring all options, not ready to release any statements at this time.”
The younger Matt Ludwig did not have his direct messages open on his X account Thursday and could not be reached for comment by USA TODAY Sports.
During the recruiting process, Stanton said, the Ludwigs got to know Moore, who was completing his second year as Michigan head coach.
“They got to know him really well and they trusted him,’’ Stanton said. “So that’s just hard right now for them to go through this.”
Michigan’s top-rated recruit ‘A Wolverine right now’
Michigan’s top-rated football recruit, defensive end Carter Meadows, has no plans for a quick exit, according to his high school coach, Randy Trivers of Gonzaga College High School in Washington D.C.
“He signed his letter of intent and he’s a Michigan Wolverine right now,’’ Trivers told USA TODAY Sports. “That’s what his status is until he or his family sit down and decide that they want to do something different, which may not ever be the case. So his status is status quo, if you will.”
Meadows, 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, is rated as the sixth-best overall recruit by 247Sports and Rivals and the 23rd best overall by ESPN. Michigan was the heavy favorite before he signed with the Wolverines. He also considered Penn State, Ohio State and South Carolina, according to 247Sports and Rivals.
Trivers said, “There may be a couple guys that were really close to committing to another school” and “then all of a sudden this happens, and now it’s like, oh, well, let me go to this (other) school instead of Michigan.”
That does not appear to be the case with Meadows based on Trivers’ perspective and recommendation.
“Rather than make a knee-jerk panic type of reaction, he’s, let’s really gather information,” Trivers said. “Let’s listen. Let’s see what’s going on here, and then ultimately make the right and best choice, which may be to be right there at Michigan.”
