What do we do when see life crumbling around someone near to us?
Better yet, what do we do when we see life crumbling to a public figure — to one we don’t know but in some ways, feel like we do?
Those in the sports world refocused their attention this week on who did/didn’t make the upcoming college football playoffs to instead what’s unfolding at the University of Michigan. Allow us to provide a brief, factual, albeit incomplete summary.
Head coach Sherrone Moore became the 21st head football coach in Wolverine history in January of 2024. He had been on staff since 2018, quickly rising through the ranks with prominence and success. He is 39 years old.
Last Wednesday, after only 2 seasons, Moore was abruptly fired. Said the university athletic director, Moore was “terminated, with cause, effective immediately. Following a University investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.”
Details of the inappropriateness have begun to emerge. The hidden romance lasted for sometime, and on Wednesday morning, the 32 year old woman Moore was involved with shared evidence of their affair with the administration, after denying such in a summer, internal investigation. Moore was terminated later that day, but responded by soon breaking into the woman’s home, allegedly threatening to harm both the woman and himself. A 911 call shared the dispatcher saying that a woman on location was “being attacked” and that the man at the location has “been stalking her for months.” Moore is married with three young children.
Moore was held for two days in police custody, now charged with home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering. Questions about his mental health have been rampant to say the least.
So now what?
Obviously, the university has some work to do. They need to look at who knew what when in regard to Moore. They also would be wise to examine if there’s any systemic pattern behind the unfortunate, unscrupulous coaches’ behavior in their athletic department these past 3 years.
But what about us? How do we respond? How do we react, as obviously, Moore’s career/life/reputation, etc. — being the head of a major attention-receiving, status-building, revenue-producing program — has come to a demonstrably crashing halt… a halt from which he may or may not ever recover. His life as he knows it, has crumbled.
Isn’t it interesting how we respond? With more than just a healthy curiosity…
It’s fascinating in some ways… although “fascinating” does not necessarily equate to good.
Rumors abound. Judgment runs rampant. Commentary comes from all over the place.
School rivals debate deservingness. Racial advocates address from a demographic angle. A mass majority of inquisitive onlookers tune in to know what/where/and why… how absurd… and why would someone so prominent risk so much… fall so short… and forget about what’s most important. Talk about the frailty of the human condition.
It’s hard.
People who hate Michigan might hate him.
People who think they’re incapable of falling prey to the deceptive sin of adultery might say “go get him.”
I get all of the above. And yet I pause.
There is so much we don’t know.
And even when we know it, what good does the judgment do?
May whoever experiences such a disturbing downfall — whoever he represents — get better. Whether a coach, politician, or next door neighbor, may they get the help they need. Find a mental healthcare professional. Learn to rely on a solid, active faith. And let the rest of us stand aside, recognizing our perspective really doesn’t matter at all.
Respectfully…
AR