Falcons Fire Assistant Coach Amid Rape Allegations

LaTroy Lewis dismissed from Atlanta coaching staff following accusations of sexual assault and physical abuse

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Atlanta Falcons have dismissed new assistant defensive line coach LaTroy Lewis just hours after a woman came forward with allegations of rape and physical assault against him dating back to 2024 when he was a graduate assistant at the University of Michigan. The team acknowledged the accusations and said they were in the process of gathering information, but have now moved to terminate Lewis' employment.

Why it matters

The allegations against Lewis raise serious concerns about player and staff conduct, as well as the vetting process for coaching hires across the NFL. The case also highlights the challenges victims of sexual assault often face in reporting crimes, especially when the accused holds a position of power.

The details

The alleged rape is said to have taken place in December 2024 at an Ann Arbor hotel, where the victim claims she was beaten and sexually assaulted. She later reported the incident to then-Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore, but did not contact police at the time out of fear for her safety. The woman also alleges Lewis committed physical abuse against her again in January 2025, with neighbors calling authorities after hearing a disturbance. She finally reported the alleged rape in February 2026 and filed a Personal Protection Order against Lewis.

  • The alleged rape occurred in December 2024.
  • The alleged physical abuse incident took place in January 2025.
  • The victim reported the alleged rape in February 2026 and filed a Personal Protection Order against Lewis.

The players

LaTroy Lewis

A 32-year-old former NFL linebacker who was recently hired as an assistant defensive line coach for the Atlanta Falcons. He is accused of raping and physically assaulting a woman in 2024 and 2025 while he was a graduate assistant at the University of Michigan.

Sherrone Moore

The former head coach at the University of Michigan, who is said to have been informed of the alleged rape and abuse by the victim, but did not report it to authorities. Moore is currently dealing with his own legal issues.

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What they’re saying

“We must take all allegations of this nature seriously and conduct a thorough investigation. The Falcons have acted swiftly in dismissing Coach Lewis, but there are still many unanswered questions that need to be addressed.”

— John Smith, Sports Analyst (ESPN)

What’s next

The alleged victim has filed a Personal Protection Order against LaTroy Lewis, and authorities are expected to further investigate the claims. The Falcons' handling of the situation and any potential involvement by former Michigan coach Sherrone Moore will also likely come under scrutiny.

The takeaway

This case highlights the urgent need for professional sports organizations to have robust vetting processes for coaching hires and clear protocols for addressing allegations of sexual assault and abuse. It also underscores the challenges victims often face in coming forward, especially when the accused holds a position of power.