Biff Poggi labels Michigan as 'malfunctioning organization' after Sherrone Moore firing, string of scandals

Sherrone Moore's firing at Michigan in the wake of an "inappropriate relationship" with a staff member was the latest in a string of scandals to shake the Wolverines football program. Interim coach Biff Poggi did not shy away from calling out Michigan for its lengthy list of recent issues, calling it a "malfunctioning organization" when meeting with reporters Monday.

The latest troubles from inside Schembechler Hall came after Michigan fell under the NCAA's watchful eye for recruiting violations and the sign-stealing operation that occurred under former coach Jim Harbaugh. While Moore's scandal was an individual case rather than a systemic bending of the rules, it added to the already tarnished reputation of a program that has been in the news for all the wrong reasons since its 2023 national championship.

"It has been five years of -- let's just call it what it is -- a malfunctioning organization where there's something every year," Poggi said. "The athletic director has made it very clear he doesn't want any more of that. If I am named the coach, which I don't know if I am, there will be a massive self-examination of what's happened in this building. And you can expect a lot of changes."

Michigan authorized an investigation into its athletic department's handling of the Moore situation. Chicago-based law firm Jenner & Block will conduct a comprehensive review of the entire department, and CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello reports that the investigation is "open-ended" to the point that Michigan is unsure what it might uncover.

Interim university president Domenico Grasso said Michigan is willing to "act swiftly" if findings from the investigation warrant more terminations.

"We will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that conduct like this does not happen again," Grasso said. "Make no mistake. We will leave no stone unturned, and any further action we take will be based on credible evidence and findings, developed through a rigorous investigation."

Not only did Moore's two-year tenure come to a close because of his impermissible conduct with a staffer, but he also faces an active show-cause penalty for his involvement in the Wolverines' sign-stealing operation. A separate case implicated former co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss for illegally accessing private information on campus. Another involved Harbaugh, who was investigated for making contact with recruits during a dead period amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Everything that happens in this building has to be reevaluated, quite frankly, because it is not up to standard," Poggi said. "The staff has to be reevaluated. I mean the coaches, I mean the analysts, I mean everybody in the building has to be evaluated."

Biff Poggi seeks full-time job, vows to make changes

The Wolverines are in the midst of a coaching search, and one of the factors they will undoubtedly consider in identifying a new leader is his ability to stabilize a program that has been in hot water for the better part of this decade. Poggi made his case for the full-time job and emphasized his desire to do just that.

"This place is magical," Poggi said. "The program means a lot to me. It's one of the things I want to fix before I go smoke myself to death with cigars. It's one of the things I want to fix. I want to fix this program."

Biff Poggi emerges as realistic -- but risky -- option for Michigan as administration appears in flux

Richard Johnson

Poggi last held a head coaching role at Charlotte during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In his lone tenure as an FBS headman, he went 6-16 with the 49ers and never won more than three games in a campaign. He did fare better this year when he handled the duties during Moore's two-game suspension, though, and received credit for the Wolverines' victories over Central Michigan and Nebraska.

Serving as Michigan's leader in an interim capacity sparked Poggi's interest in manning the duties in a permanent capacity. That interest appears to be mutual.

"I'm being considered," Poggi said. "I've had multiple interviews, multiple conversations. Nobody knows what's going to happen. I don't know what's going to happen. I just appreciate being considered, and we'll see what happens."

Poggi will coach Michigan against Texas in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31.