Former Michigan Football Staffer Opens Up About Relationship With Sherrone Moore: Report

ANN ARBOR, MI — A former University of Michigan football assistant detailed her relationship with former Wolverines football coach Sherrone Moore in a TV interview Friday.

Paige Shiver told ABC News that Moore manipulated her during their nearly four-year relationship, which was "encouraged" by members of the university's athletic department.

The 32-year-old former staffer called the relationship an "open secret," saying that the leadership was aware of it and didn't do anything about it.

"They knew the things that he was doing to me and no one did anything about it because they cared more about winning football games, not having another scandal, and trying to protect the head coach," she said.

She said she stayed in the relationship because she feared for her job security.

Shiver told the news station the relationship began when she was an intern with the Athletic Department in October 2021. Over time, she said the consensual relationship grew into an intimate one and that she couldn't get away.

"Every time I tried to pull away, every time I tried to get out of even Michigan, he always had a way to pull me in and make me feel that I couldn't leave him because he was so miserable without me," Shiver said.

She added the relationship resulted in a pregnancy, which she terminated due to pompe disease, a complication that causes progressive muscle weakness, respiratory failure and heart issues.

Moore's attorney told ABC that "Sherrone has closed this chapter."

The University of Michigan also released a statement, reiterating that Moore violated university policy, and that "we expect more from our leaders."

Moore, 39, was sentenced to 18 months probation earlier this month for an incident at Shiver's home on Dec. 10.

The University of Michigan fired Moore that day for engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, which the university said "constitutes a clear violation of university policy."

Prosecutors said Moore then broke into Shiver's Ann Arbor area apartment and blamed her for losing his job. They said he grabbed butter knives and kitchen scissors and threatened to kill himself.

"He's six-four and he comes in with his hood up, looking down at me, saying I ruined his life and is crying," she said. "He's not listening to me. And it's like he knew he had control over me. He knew he had power over me."

Moore was arrested shortly after the incident. He pleaded no contest to malicious use of a telecommunications device involving a domestic relationship and trespassing, both misdemeanors.

In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dismissed charges of third-degree home invasion, stalking and breaking and entering.

Moore had faced up to six months in jail for the two misdemeanors.