Former Michigan coach charged with home invasion, stalking

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Sherrone Moore, the recently fired University of Michigan football coach, was charged Friday with felony home invasion, stalking and a misdemeanor after prosecutors said he forced his way into the apartment of a woman with whom he had been having an affair and threatened to take his own life after she reported the relationship and he lost his job. Prosecutors said the relationship had lasted for “a number of years” before the woman ended it on Monday, according to Washtenaw County first assistant prosecutor Kati Rezmierski. After she stopped responding to repeated calls and texts, she informed the university, which launched an investigation that led to Moore’s dismissal, Rezmierski said. Authorities allege that soon after he was fired for an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, Moore broke into the woman’s apartment, went to a kitchen drawer, grabbed several butter knives and a pair of kitchen scissors, and began threatening to harm himself. Prosecutors said he told the woman he would kill himself and that his blood would be on her hands, language Rezmierski said left the woman terrified. At a brief hearing, District Court Magistrate Odetalla Odetalla entered a not-guilty plea on Moore’s behalf. Moore was released after posting $25,000 bond and was ordered to have no contact with the woman. Other conditions of his release include wearing a GPS monitoring device, remaining in Michigan, abstaining from alcohol and undergoing an additional mental-health evaluation. A follow-up court date is scheduled for Jan. 22. Defense attorney Joe Simon said Moore was taken to a hospital for a mental-health evaluation after his arrest Wednesday and was returned to jail before the hearing. Simon said Moore will “absolutely comply” with the court-ordered evaluation and argued there is no evidence he poses a threat. Moore, 39, is married and the father of three children. He signed a five-year contract last year with a base annual salary of $5.5 million; because he was fired for cause, the university is not required to buy out the remainder of that contract. Moore had been the team’s offensive coordinator and was promoted to head coach after Michigan’s national title run; he succeeded Jim Harbaugh, who left for the NFL. Michigan is scheduled to face No. 14 Texas on Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl. Biff Poggi, who served as interim head coach earlier this season when Moore was suspended amid an investigation tied to a Harbaugh-era sign-stealing scandal, will again serve as interim coach. The program may confront roster changes through the transfer portal and possible donor concerns as it begins the search for a permanent head coach. EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. An online chat is also available at 988lifeline.org.