fired University of Michigan football coach Sherron Moore He lost his job after he broke into a woman’s apartment and threatened to kill herself after the woman he was having an affair reported the relationship to her school, prosecutors said Friday.
Moore was charged with three offences, including burglary and stalking.
As he watched video from jail, authorities laid out the extraordinary charges against Moore and provided details that answer a key question: What led Michigan State to abruptly fire the 39-year-old coach on Wednesday after his second season with the storied football program?
Washtenaw County First Assistant Prosecutor Kati Rezmierski said Moore and the woman had been having an affair for “many years” until she ended the relationship on Monday.
Rezmierski said Moore called and texted the woman multiple times, but she refused to respond.
“Eventually she reported to the University of Michigan. She cooperated with some form of investigation. We all know now that (Moore) was fired,” prosecutors said.
The school said Wednesday that Moore was fired for having an inappropriate relationship with a faculty member, but did not provide details.
Rezmierski told the judge that Moore arrived at the woman’s apartment soon after losing his job and “barged in.”
“Then he went to the kitchen drawers, grabbed a couple of butter knives and a pair of kitchen scissors. And started threatening his own life,” she said.
Prosecutors quoted Moore as saying: “I’m going to kill myself. I’m going to make you watch. You have my blood on your hands. You’ve ruined my life.”
“She was scared,” Rezmierski said.
District Court Judge Odetala Odetala entered a not guilty plea on Moore’s behalf. He said little other than to acknowledge the conditions for his release from prison, including having no contact with the woman. Bond was set at $25,000.
The court hearing was held just 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) from Michigan Stadium, where Moore, who is married with three children, coached his final game on Nov. 29 against rival Ohio State in front of more than 100,000 fans.
Defense attorney Joe Simon said Moore was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation after his arrest Wednesday and then returned to jail.
He said Moore would “absolutely comply” with Odetala’s order for additional evaluations. Moore must wear a GPS tracking device, stay in Michigan and abstain from alcohol. The next court hearing is scheduled for January 22.
“There is no evidence that he is a threat,” Simon said.
Moore signed a five-year contract last year with a base annual salary of $5.5 million. Under the terms of his deal, the school didn’t have to buy out the remaining years of his contract because he was released for cause.
Moore, the team’s former offensive coordinator, was promoted to captain after the Wolverines won the national championship. He replaces Jim Harbaugh, who returned to the NFL to lead the Los Angeles Chargers.
Michigan State is playing soon 14 Texas Dec. 31 at Citrus Bowl. Biff Poggi, who replaced Moore after he was suspended earlier this season for an incident in the Harbaugh era sign theft scandalwill serve as interim coach.
While the school searches for a new head coach, the Wolverines could lose players in the transfer portal this winter, and donors who helped fund revenue sharing and zero trades may be hesitant to invest in the most successful program in college football history.
___
Editor’s note – This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact America’s National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat online through 988lifeline.org