As the University of Michigan begins to unravel the tenure of fired head football coach Sherrone Moore, a new line of inquiry has emerged regarding financial decisions made within the football program—specifically concerning the compensation of the staffer linked to his dismissal.
Public salary records reviewed following Moore’s termination reveal that Paige Shiver, the executive assistant to the head coach, received a massive salary increase during the 2024 fiscal year, a financial anomaly that has drawn the attention of university auditors and critics alike.
The Numbers
According to public university data, Shiver’s base salary jumped from approximately $58,000 in 2023 to $90,000 for the 2024-2025 academic year.
This increase, representing a spike of roughly 55%, occurred simultaneously with her promotion from a recruiting operations role to becoming Moore’s direct executive assistant. While promotions typically come with pay raises, university compensation experts note that an immediate jump of that magnitude—nearly doubling a salary in a single cycle—is highly irregular for support staff positions within public universities.
Questions of Conflict of Interest
Moore was fired “for cause” on Wednesday after an investigation uncovered an “inappropriate relationship” with a staff member. While the university has not officially named Shiver, multiple sources have identified her as the focus of the inquiry.
The timeline of the salary increase has raised questions about whether the raise was merit-based or influenced by the alleged personal relationship.
“In public institutions, salary bands are usually rigid,” said a former university athletic administrator who spoke on condition of anonymity. “A promotion might net you 10 to 15 percent. To see a salary jump nearly $32,000 in one year for an administrative role suggests someone pulled significant strings to bypass standard HR caps.”
The Promotion
The university’s stated justification for the salary adjustment at the time was a change in title. Shiver moved from serving as an on-campus recruiting assistant—a role that involves coordinating visits and logistics—to the “Executive Assistant to the Head Coach.”
This new role placed her as the primary gatekeeper for Moore, managing his schedule, correspondence, and daily operations. However, the scrutiny now focuses on whether the position itself was elevated in pay specifically to accommodate the individual filling it.
University Response
When asked if the university is reviewing the financial controls that approved the raise, a spokesperson declined to comment on specific personnel records but reiterated that the investigation into Moore’s conduct was comprehensive.
“The university is committed to responsible stewardship of its resources and adherence to all conflict-of-interest policies,” the statement read.
For Moore, the salary revelation adds a potential financial misconduct element to what was initially viewed as a personal policy violation. If it is determined that university funds were misappropriated to benefit a romantic partner, the legal ramifications could extend beyond his termination from the contract.
Moore, who was detained by police on an assault allegation following his firing, has not commented on the allegations.
Flip the pages for photos of Paige Shiver.
