Former Michigan Staffer Says Athletic Department Failed to Protect Her from Ex-Coach Moore

ANN ARBOR — A former Michigan football staffer has publicly criticized the university's athletic department for failing to adequately protect her from former head coach Sherrone Moore, describing their relationship as an "open secret" that leadership chose not to address.

Paige Shiver, who previously worked within the Michigan football program, stated that those in leadership positions "didn't do enough to protect her" from Moore, according to her recent comments. The allegations raise fresh questions about institutional accountability and workplace safety protocols within one of college football's most prominent programs.

The Allegations

Shiver characterized the nature of her relationship with Moore as widely known within the athletic department, suggesting that multiple individuals in positions of authority were aware of the situation but failed to take appropriate action. The term "open secret" implies that knowledge of the relationship extended beyond a small circle, yet institutional safeguards apparently did not activate.

The specific timeline of events, the duration of Shiver's employment with the program, and the exact nature of the relationship have not been fully detailed in available reporting. Moore served as Michigan's head coach before his recent departure from the position.

Institutional Accountability Questions

The allegations spotlight broader concerns about how major college athletic programs handle workplace conduct issues, particularly when they involve high-profile coaching staff and lower-ranking employees. Power dynamics in such environments can create situations where junior staff members may feel vulnerable or unable to report concerns through normal channels.

Michigan's athletic department has not issued a public response to Shiver's specific claims about inadequate protection. The university's policies regarding workplace relationships, reporting mechanisms, and the responsibilities of leadership in such situations remain central to evaluating the institutional response.

Implications for College Athletics

The case arrives amid heightened scrutiny of workplace culture in college athletics, where the high-stakes nature of major programs can sometimes overshadow employee welfare concerns. Athletic departments at major universities typically have human resources protocols and Title IX offices designed to address such situations, but the effectiveness of these systems varies.

For Michigan, the allegations come during a period of transition in the football program. The university has not indicated whether any internal investigation took place or what measures, if any, were implemented in response to the situation Shiver describes.

What we know: Former Michigan football staffer Paige Shiver has stated that the athletic department's leadership failed to adequately protect her from ex-head coach Sherrone Moore, describing their relationship as an "open secret" within the program. What remains unclear: The specific timeline of events, details of what protective measures Shiver requested or expected, whether any formal complaints were filed, what actions (if any) the athletic department took, and whether the university conducted an internal investigation. Michigan has not publicly responded to the allegations.