ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Former University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore was charged Friday with felony home invasion and stalking after prosecutors said he “barged his way” into the apartment of a woman with whom he had been having an affair and threatened to kill himself when she ended the relationship and reported it to the school.
Prosecutors said Moore, 39, and the woman had an affair “for a number of years” before she ended it Monday, according to Kati Rezmierski, Washtenaw County first assistant prosecutor. After she stopped responding to Moore’s calls and texts and disclosed the relationship to university officials, Moore was fired Wednesday for an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, the school said.
Shortly after losing his job, authorities allege, Moore forced his way into the woman’s apartment. Prosecutors say he went to a kitchen drawer, grabbed several butter knives and kitchen scissors, and began threatening his own life, telling the woman, “I’m going to kill myself. I’m going to make you watch. My blood is on your hands. You’ve ruined my life.” Rezmierski said the woman was terrorized.
Moore was arrested Wednesday and appeared by video from jail for a hearing where a not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf by District Court Magistrate Odetalla Odetalla. He was released after posting $25,000 bond. Court conditions include no contact with the woman, wearing a GPS tracking device, staying in Michigan, abstaining from alcohol, and undergoing additional mental health evaluation. Moore acknowledged the no-contact order and spoke little at the hearing. The next court date is Jan. 22.
Defense attorney Joe Simon said Moore was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation after his arrest and later returned to jail. Simon said Moore would “absolutely comply” with the judge’s order for further evaluation and added, “There’s no evidence to suggest he’s a threat.”
Moore signed a five-year contract last year with a base annual salary of $5.5 million. Because he was fired for cause under the terms of the deal, the university will not be required to buy out the remaining years of his contract.
Moore, previously Michigan’s offensive coordinator, was promoted to head coach after the program won a national title. He succeeded Jim Harbaugh, who left for the NFL to coach the Los Angeles Chargers. Moore coached his final game Nov. 29 against Ohio State in front of more than 100,000 fans.
Michigan is scheduled to play No. 14 Texas on Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl. Biff Poggi, who served as interim coach earlier this season when Moore was suspended in connection with a Harbaugh-era sign-stealing investigation, will again serve as interim coach. As the program searches for a permanent replacement, it faces potential player departures to the transfer portal and donor hesitancy that could affect revenue-sharing and NIL support.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the U.S. national suicide and crisis lifeline is available by calling or texting 988, or by online chat at 988lifeline.org.
