Sherron Moore and more of the most shocking firings in sports history

Michigan sack story Sherron Moore and Ohio University Brian Smith Shocked fans of both shows.

Smith was fired from Ohio University on December 17, 2025, for “serious professional misconduct and engaging in activities detrimental to the university.” He admitted to having an affair with an undergraduate student at the school.

Moore was fired on December 10, 2025, following allegations that he had an “inappropriate” relationship with a staff member at the project and that he also reportedly assaulted the staff member.

But the pair are just part of a series of shocking sporting dismissals that have plagued the world of sports over the years. Keep scrolling to read more about unexpected firings in college and professional sports.

Brian Smith

smith is on administrative leave Ohio University formally fired him in early December 2025 after the school determined he was guilty of “serious professional misconduct and engaging in activities detrimental to the university.”

According to court documents, Smith and his ex-wife finalized their divorce on December 9, 2025.

On December 18, 2025, multiple media outlets reported that legal records showed Smith had an extramarital affair with an undergraduate student. According to USA Today, the president of Ohio University Lori Stewart Gonzalez In a letter obtained by the outlet, it was written that the incident occurred primarily at the Ohio University hotel and that the student’s family was aware of the development.

“He (Smith) is shocked and dismayed by this turn of events, and we plan to fight this wrongful termination to protect his reputation,” the attorney said. Rex Elliott stated in the statement. “Coach Smith is an ethical man who has done an exemplary job for the university. He only wants the best for the players, coaches and the entire Bobcat community.”

Sherron Moore

The University of Michigan fired Moore on Dec. 10, 2025, citing an “inappropriate” relationship with a faculty member. “UM head football coach. Sherron Moore has been fired“Effective immediately,” Michigan State athletic director Ward Manuel announced in a press release.

The statement continued: “Following a university investigation, there is credible evidence that Coach Moore had an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. This conduct is a clear violation of university policy and the University of Michigan has zero tolerance for such conduct.”

In the coming days, more information was released about the nature of the allegations against Moore, who is in his second season as head coach.

Moore reportedly broke into the worker’s home on the day he was fired, grabbed a butter knife and threatened to harm himself.

“(The staff member) stated that she was approximately 5 feet away from the door when he entered,” court records explain. “She advised she began to back away as he approached her. (She) advised Moore took two knives from a drawer and pointed them at her, ‘You’ve ruined my life. You’ve ruined my life.'”

Still holding the knife, Moore allegedly supported her “towards the living room.” After the woman successfully called her attorney, Moore reportedly “stepped back, pointed the knife at himself, pointed the knife at his neck, and said he was going to kill himself and she would watch.”

Moore was charged as of Dec. 12, 2025, with one felony count of third-degree burglary, one misdemeanor count of stalking related to a domestic relationship and one misdemeanor count of breaking and entering. Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit The charges against Moore were later explained in a statement to the Free Press on December 13, 2025.

“The evidence currently available indicates that Mr. Moore intended to intimidate and harass the victim, which is the basis for the stalking charge,” Savitt said. “However, given his account of self-harm, there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he had the intention to attack or assault the victim.”

Hulk Hogan

In July 2015, multiple media outlets released leaked audio from Hulk Hogan’s unauthorized 2012 sex tape, in which he allegedly expressed frustration with his daughter Brooke for dating a black man. Hogan was accused of using the “n” word multiple times and calling himself “sort of a racist.” (Hogan later won a $115 million settlement against Gawker for the unauthorized release of his sex tape in 2016.)

Hogan is Terminate contract with WWE Shortly thereafter.

“WWE has terminated Terry Bollea’s (aka Hulk Hogan) contract,” a company representative told us us then. “WWE is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds, as evidenced by the diversity of our global employees, performers and fans.”

“Please forgive me. Please forgive me,” Hogan pleaded with fans during the interview abc news August 2015. “I think if you look at the full picture of Hulk Hogan, you’ll see that I haven’t had a racist bone in my body over the years.”

“I’m not a racist, but I shouldn’t have said what I said. It was wrong. I’m embarrassed about it,” he also said. “People need to realize that you inherit something from your environment. Where I grew up, Port Tampa in South Tampa, it was a very tough neighborhood, very low income. All my friends, we would say that word when we greeted each other.”

bill belichick

In January 2024, both parties bill belichick The New England Patriots announced they have agreed to mutually part ways with the coach with one year remaining on his contract. This news is surprising considering Belichick has been with the team for 24 seasons.

“This is a move we both agree needs to be made at this time,” the Patriots owner said. Robert Kraft It was said at that time that every ESPN. “In my opinion, what Bill accomplished will never be replicated.”

But in October 2024, Kraft told the host breakfast club He made the decision to fire Belichick. “I kept him for 24 years,” Kraft said. “I didn’t like sacking him, but I tried to do it – if you look at the press conference and how it happened, I tried to do it in a classy way.”

He continued, “What he’s done for us has been great. People need to adapt. People need to adapt, and if they don’t, things are going to change. In life, it’s about getting good chemistry and trust, and I feel like the record we’ve had over the last three or four years is not where I want it to be.”

Woody Hayes

Hayes’ coaching career included stints at three schools: Denison University (1946-1948), Miami University (1949-1950) and Ohio State University (1951-1978). He was involved in several physical altercations and violent incidents while at Ohio State, such as when he tried to punch a reporter in 1959 OK and click on editor Bob Shafer Instead, he threatened to start a fight with Iowa State’s athletic director in 1965 and, most notably, when he punched a Clemson defender Charlie Bowman During the game.

That final drive ended Hayes’ coaching career at the school.

‘He didn’t hurt Charlie,’ former Ohio State player Tom Cousineau Tell ESPN December 2013. “Like a mosquito. But that’s the intention. You can’t cross that line. It’s different when you kick the touchline marker or push the photographer. We want him to be that active against us, but not against the opponent.”

Hayes did not attend the team’s game the next day, at which time he was also released from the program.

Bobby Knight

knight is fired In September 2000, he became head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers following abuse allegations from a former player. Neil Reid Claims Knight strangled him in 1997. Assistant coach Mike Davis Knight took over after being fired.

Knight is also accused of grabbing another player and yelling at him days before he was fired.

Years later, there were reports that Knight was also choked and punched sports information director for the show Kit Klingelhoff.

Javaris Crittenton

former nba star Javaris Crittenton In August 2011, he was charged with murder Julian JonesMother of four from Atlanta. He and his cousin were charged with 12 counts in connection with her death, including murder, felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, making false statements, attempted murder and participating in criminal street gang activity.

Crittenton eventually pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter with a weapon and aggravated assault with a firearm in April 2015 and was sentenced to 23 years in prison. The sentence was commuted and he was released in April 2023.

Joe Paterno

Penn State fans shocked Joe Paterno was fired in 2011, especially since he was one of the most legendary coaches in program history. Paterno fired for failing to prevent sexual abuse and assault committed by defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

A graduate assistant told Paterno that Sandusky was seen sexually assaulting a boy about 10 years old in a school shower. Paterno informs athletic director Tim Curley and university vice-chancellor Gary Schultz But notably, he did not alert authorities or ask Sandusky about the allegation. Every ESPNSandusky was charged with “40 criminal counts involving the sexual assault of eight boys over a 15-year period” and was ultimately sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison.