Former University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore, 39, was formally charged with three crimes, including felony third-degree home invasion and stalking, at his arraignment in Washtenaw County court on Dec. 12.
Moore, who attended Friday’s arraignment virtually, was accused of breaking into the apartment of an alleged mistress and threatening to kill himself.
The incident happened hours after he was fired for engaging in an “inappropriate relationship with a staff member,” who has not been named by the university.
“The defendant was, at some point on Wednesday afternoon, fired from his [inaudible], he then at some point soon thereafter came to her apartment … barged his way into that apartment, immediately then proceeded to a kitchen drawer, grabbed several butter knives and a pair of kitchen scissors and began to threaten his own life,” Washtenaw County first assistant prosecutor Kati Rezmierski said in court on Friday.
The once-promising coach, who had a base annual salary of $5.5 million, allegedly told the woman with whom he was having an affair that he was going to kill himself and make her watch.
Rezmierski suggested the married father of three, then told the woman, “my blood is on your hands,” and “you ruined my life.”
District Court Magistrate Odetalla Odetalla issued a “not guilty plea” on Moore’s behalf on Friday.
Moore was released from jail on a $25,000 bond after the hearing, which happened at a courthouse just four miles from where he coached his last game at Michigan Stadium in front of 100,000 fans on Nov. 29.
Defense attorney Joe Simon said Moore would remain in the community once released but would not give details as to where.
As part of his bond release, Moore was ordered to stay away from alcohol and drugs, not leave the state, and wear a GPS tracking device, and he agreed to “absolutely comply” with the judge’s order for additional evaluation. His next court hearing is Jan. 22.
Michigan University will not have to buy out the remaining years of Moore’s multi-million dollar contract because he was fired with cause.
“There is absolutely no tolerance for this conduct at the University of Michigan. None,” he wrote. “I have been in close communication with the Board of Regents and we are united in committing to doing what is right. This breach of trust by Coach Moore is painful for many in our community, first and foremost, the individuals directly involved in this situation.”
