NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
Michigan interim head coach Biff Poggi said this week that his players are struggling with emotions of betrayal and anger ahead of the bowl game following a scandal involving former coach Sherron Moore.
In his first media release since Moore was fired last week and subsequently jailed on three charges, including home invasion, Poggi told media he was helping players through the process after the university reported Moore was fired for having an inappropriate relationship with an employee.
Michigan interim head coach Biff Poggi answers a question during the NCAA college football Citrus Bowl press conference in Winter Park, Florida, December 15, 2025, ahead of his team's New Year's Day appearance against Texas in the tournament in Orlando, Florida. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP)
“It was a turbulent time,” Poggi said. via ESPN. “There's a lot of… disbelief at first, then anger, and then actually where we're at right now is that the kids, quite frankly, feel very betrayed and we're trying to deal with that.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS RESOURCES ON FOXNEWS.COM
Poggi, who previously served as coach this season as Moore served a voluntary suspension for previous NCAA violations, said he's doing his part with his actions “because words are cheap and it takes a long time. What's really needed is your willingness to listen.”
Moore appeared in Washtenaw County Court on Friday, where his bond was set at $25,000 and included several conditions, including no contact with the alleged victim in the case. He was given a not guilty plea.
Prosecutors detailed alleged events that led to Moore's arrest on Wednesday, including that Moore had been in a “close relationship” with the Michigan employee for “several years” and that the woman broke up with him on Monday.
Then-Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherron Moore watches a college football game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 19, 2024 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Prosecutors accused Moore of contacting the employee through phone calls and text messages after the breakup, prompting the victim to contact the University of Michigan and cooperate in the investigation. Moore was subsequently fired as head football coach, which prosecutors say prompted him to show up at the woman's home.
Moore then allegedly “barged” into the house, grabbed a butter knife and a pair of scissors, and then began threatening his life. Prosecutors said Moore allegedly told the employee, “My blood is on your hands” and “you ruined my life.”
The University of Michigan has hired a law firm to conduct an independent investigation into the situation, and sources told The Associated Press that the probe will expand beyond the football program to include the athletic department.
Michigan will face Texas. Citrus bowl December 31st. Poggi said this week that players were given the opportunity to decide whether they wanted to participate in the game.
Michigan interim head coach Biff Poggi watches his team play against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Nebraska, September 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz, File)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“They haven’t ended yet, and I don’t expect them to end anytime soon. The mantle that Ward Manuel gave me as athletic director when he asked me to be the interim coach was to love the kids and care about them, and that's what I spend all my time doing.”
The fallout from the latest scandal to hit the Michigan program will likely extend beyond this season's bowl game.
Of the 27 prospects who signed to play football there less than two weeks ago, at least two have already requested and been cleared to decommit from Michigan.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital sports reporting on Xand subscribe to Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
