Atlanta Falcons Terminate Assistant Coach Following Serious Allegations
The Atlanta Falcons organization acted swiftly and decisively on February 27, cutting ties with assistant defensive line coach LaTroy Lewis mere hours after acknowledging they were reviewing serious allegations connected to his tenure at the University of Michigan. This dramatic personnel move followed official confirmation from the Ann Arbor Police Department that Lewis is currently under investigation for an alleged sexual assault reported to have occurred on December 5, 2024.
Rapid Dismissal Following Police Confirmation
LaTroy Lewis had recently joined Atlanta's coaching staff this offseason after previous coaching stops at Michigan and the University of Toledo. His abrupt firing coincided precisely with the same day that law enforcement publicly confirmed an active criminal investigation. The situation has rapidly expanded beyond the confines of the NFL, drawing responses from university officials, legal representatives, and prosecutors as questions multiply regarding how earlier complaints were handled by various institutions.
The Falcons organization initially stated they were aware of the allegations and gathering information, but by Friday afternoon, they announced Lewis's immediate dismissal. The team hired Lewis earlier this offseason as part of their defensive staff overhaul, only to terminate his employment within a remarkably short timeframe as serious allegations surfaced.
Allegations Stemming from Michigan Tenure
The accusations originate from Lewis's time at the University of Michigan, where he worked from 2022 through early 2025 under head coaches Jim Harbaugh and later Sherrone Moore. According to detailed statements from the accuser's attorney, the woman met Lewis through a dating application and alleges that a sexual assault occurred during a December 2024 meeting in Ann Arbor.
"He raped her, assaulted her, beat her up," attorney Karen Truszkowski stated unequivocally in comments reported by The Athletic. This graphic description forms the core of the serious allegations now under police investigation.
Lewis's legal representative, Fabiola A. Galguera, has vigorously rejected these claims in an official statement: "Allegations of sexual misconduct are not proof of sexual misconduct. It is essential to pass judgment based on facts, and the facts are currently not being presented to the public. Mr. Lewis intends to fiercely fight these false allegations with the support of his wife, family, and my team."
A personal protective order case was initiated in Washtenaw County court, though specific records were not publicly available at the time of initial reporting, adding another layer of complexity to this developing situation.
Law Enforcement Investigation Details
Police authorities have confirmed the criminal case remains active and ongoing. Chris Page of the Ann Arbor Police Department provided this official statement: "The Ann Arbor Police Department was just recently made aware of allegations regarding a sexual assault reported to have occurred on December 5, 2024. The suspect in this investigation is LaTroy Lewis. The AAPD Detective Bureau launched an immediate investigation into the incident. This investigation remains active and ongoing."
The Washtenaw County prosecutor's office clarified its procedural role in this matter, with spokeswoman Liz Mack explaining: "Law-enforcement investigates alleged criminal conduct, and, following an investigation, may submit evidence regarding potential criminal activity to our office for review," and further noting, "As with any case, if a report is submitted, we will review the evidence and make a determination based on the facts and the law."
University of Michigan Connections and Responses
The accuser alleges she informed Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore about the incident shortly after it occurred and claims he failed to report it through proper university channels as required. Her attorney elaborated: "As a lay person, she assumed that because he was the head football coach that he would want to address it, knowing it was one of his coaches that had done this," and further alleged, "Instead of being supportive and reporting it, as he was required to do, he started to weaponize it against her."
Moore's attorney, Ellen Michaels, has categorically denied these claims: "Sherrone Moore did not fail to report misconduct, did not reward wrongdoing, and did not harass anyone. These claims are false."
The University of Michigan administration has labeled the allegations "deeply concerning" and initiated multiple investigations. Spokesperson Paul Corliss confirmed that the University launched an investigation of "the circumstances and conduct leading to Sherrone Moore's firing, as well as a broader culture review of the Athletic Department." These institutional reviews remain ongoing as this complex situation continues to develop across multiple jurisdictions and organizations.
