Stephen A. Smith calls Sherrone Moore’s firing a major disappointment

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Stephen A. Smith calls Sherrone Moore’s firing a major disappointment
Sherrone Moore

Stephen A. Smith calls Sherrone Moore’s firing a major disappointment originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith did not hold back when reacting to the firing of Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore. Moore, who was let go on Wednesday after two seasons, was removed from his position due to an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. The news quickly became one of the biggest stories in college football, and Smith addressed it on Thursday’s episode of “First Take.”

Smith said he was disappointed in Moore for many reasons, but one stood out the most. Moore was the first full-time Black head coach in Michigan football history, a program that began playing in 1879. Smith explained that opportunities like this are extremely rare, and the responsibility that comes with them is enormous.

“He’s 39 years of age. He’s a grown man. And to put himself in this position is egregious,” Smith said. He added that he felt especially bad for Moore’s wife and young daughters, who are also affected by the situation.

Smith then explained why the firing carried extra weight. “To be the first Black coach as well, that’s another angle,” he said. Smith, who is also Black, spoke strongly about how important it is to represent yourself well when given a high-profile job like Michigan’s. “You don’t get these opportunities every day,” he said. “To find himself in this position… it’s really, really unfortunate.”

Moore’s time at Michigan ended not only with the scandal but also with additional legal trouble. He is currently in custody at the Washtenaw County Jail after reportedly being involved in an assault on Wednesday. Smith said the details of the incident were “incredibly alarming,” especially for someone responsible for leading young men at one of the biggest programs in college football.

Michigan went 9–3 this season and will play Texas in the Citrus Bowl on December 31. Moore’s official record as head coach stands at 16–8 because of suspensions involving both himself and former coach Jim Harbaugh. Smith said Michigan should not struggle to replace his on-field production and even mentioned current Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer as a possible candidate if he becomes unhappy in Tuscaloosa.

Smith ended his comments by stressing the importance of character when hiring a college coach. “You’re being asked to be a leader of young men,” he said. “That comes with responsibility.”

For Moore, the future is uncertain. Many coaches who were fired for scandals, like Bobby Petrino and Hugh Freeze, eventually returned to the sport. Whether Moore gets that same chance remains to be seen.

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