Atlanta Falcons Fire Assistant Coach LaTroy Lewis Amid Sexual Assault Investigation

Lewis previously worked at the University of Michigan, where he is accused of sexual assault in 2024

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Atlanta Falcons have fired assistant coach LaTroy Lewis after the Ann Arbor Police Department confirmed it is investigating an alleged sexual assault involving Lewis during his time as a Michigan football staff member in 2024. The assault allegations were made public on social media, and a personal protective order case has been initiated against Lewis in Washtenaw County court. Lewis was hired by the Falcons earlier this month.

Why it matters

The allegations against Lewis add to the ongoing turmoil surrounding the University of Michigan's football program, which has already seen the firing of head coach Sherrone Moore for an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. These incidents raise concerns about the culture and practices within the Michigan athletic department, as well as the vetting process for coaching hires across the NFL.

The details

According to police, the alleged sexual assault involving Lewis occurred on December 5, 2024, near the end of the Michigan football season. Lewis was at Michigan from 2022 to 2025, first as a graduate assistant and then as an assistant defensive line coach. He was hired by the Falcons on February 10, 2026, as their new assistant defensive line coach. The Falcons fired Lewis just hours after the police investigation was made public.

  • The alleged sexual assault occurred on December 5, 2024.
  • Lewis was at Michigan from 2022 to 2025.
  • Lewis was hired by the Atlanta Falcons on February 10, 2026.
  • The Falcons fired Lewis on February 27, 2026.

The players

LaTroy Lewis

A former assistant coach at the University of Michigan who was recently hired by the Atlanta Falcons, but has now been fired amid an investigation into sexual assault allegations from his time at Michigan.

Sherrone Moore

The former head coach of the University of Michigan football team, who was fired for cause in December 2025 due to credible evidence of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.

Ann Arbor Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that is investigating the alleged sexual assault involving LaTroy Lewis during his time at the University of Michigan.

Atlanta Falcons

The NFL team that hired LaTroy Lewis as an assistant coach earlier this month, but has now fired him in the wake of the sexual assault investigation.

University of Michigan

The college football program that employed LaTroy Lewis as a staff member from 2022 to 2025, and is now facing additional turmoil and an independent investigation into its athletic department culture and practices.

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What they’re saying

“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 AAPD Detective Bureau launched an immediate investigation into the incident. This investigation remains active and ongoing.”

— Chris Page, Strategic Communications Manager, Ann Arbor Police Department

“The allegations involving LaTroy Lewis are deeply concerning, and we urge anyone with relevant information to contact Jenner & Block, the law firm conducting an independent investigation of Sherrone Moore's tenure as coach and the culture and practices of Michigan's athletic department.”

— Paul Corliss, Spokesman, University of Michigan

What’s next

The judge in the personal protective order case involving LaTroy Lewis and the alleged victim will decide whether to grant the order. The Ann Arbor Police Department's investigation into the sexual assault allegations is ongoing.

The takeaway

The firing of LaTroy Lewis by the Atlanta Falcons and the ongoing investigation into sexual assault allegations against him during his time at the University of Michigan highlight the need for thorough vetting of coaching hires and a closer examination of the culture and practices within college athletic departments. These incidents underscore the importance of addressing issues of misconduct and creating safe environments for all student-athletes and staff.