ANN ARBOR, MI – Former University of Michigan football coach Sherron Moore broke into the home of a former lover and threatened to kill himself by telling her his “blood is on your hands,” prosecutors said Friday.
Moore, 39 years old, has been charged with alleged home invasion, stalking and breaking and entering after a shock arrest and dismissal from one of the most prestigious jobs in sports.
The alleged home invasion is a felony, while two other charges were filed as misdemeanors against Moore, who was being held in the Washtenaw County Jail — about 4 miles from Michigan Stadium, where he led the storied Wolverines football program.
Moore appeared on the video feed wearing a white prison uniform and was heard as authorities explained how he allegedly criticized the ending romantic relationship.
The victim had been in a years-long relationship with the married Moore when she allegedly ended it Monday, according to Kathy Rezmierski, Washtenaw County First Assistant Prosecutor.
Moore allegedly responded by “making numerous phone calls and sending numerous text messages” before the woman eventually “appeared before the University of Michigan” and “cooperated in some form of investigation,” Rezmierski said.
Moore allegedly broke into the woman's home through an unlocked door “without permission” Wednesday and grabbed two butter knives and a pair of scissors, Pittsfield Charter Township police said.
“I’m going to commit suicide,” Rezmierski told the court, quoting the defendant’s alleged words to the victim. “I will make you watch my blood on your hands. You ruined my life.”
The woman called her lawyer and told Moore she was going to call the police before he left, prosecutors said.
Moore was arrested “without incident,” police said.
Magistrate Judge Odetalla Odetalla on Friday released Moore on $25,000 bail, ordered him to wear a GPS monitor and stay away from his ex-girlfriend.
He was no longer in jail Friday night.
Defense lawyer Joseph Simon said his client does not object to additional psychological evaluations.
After Moore was taken into custody Wednesday, he was taken to the hospital for a mental health evaluation, Simon said. Moore was then returned to police custody and not given psychiatric treatment, the lawyer added.
“He has a home here, his family is here. He has ties to our community,” Simon said. “Otherwise, my client does not pose a danger to the public.”
The university fired Moore on Wednesday, accusing him of having an “inappropriate relationship with an employee.”
“When the results of the university's investigation into Coach Moore's conduct were presented on Wednesday, we terminated his employment effective immediately,” the university said in a statement. President Domenico Grasso This was stated in a statement on Thursday.
“The University of Michigan has absolutely no tolerance for this type of behavior,” the statement said.
When asked about Moore, police in nearby Pittsfield Township released a statement saying a suspect in an “assault investigation” had been taken into custody.
The statements do not name Moore, but jail records indicate he is in custody there.
“The investigation is ongoing and is under review by the Washtenaw County District Attorney's Office,” police said in a statement Thursday.
Moore is married with three children.
He was at the helm of the Wolverines for two seasons, going 17-8 overall and 12-6 in tough Big Ten play.
He succeeds Jim Harbaugh, who led Michigan. to the national championship before leaving to become the head coach of the NFL's Los Angeles Chargers.
Michigan is considered one of the cities of college football. the most prestigious programswinning more games than any other team while competing for one of the America's Best Public Universities.
“This breach of trust by Coach Moore is painful for many in our community, most notably the people directly involved in this situation,” Grasso said in a statement.
“However, our swift and decisive actions reflect the university’s unwavering commitment to a culture of respect, integrity and accountability on campus,” Grasso said.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to reach the suicide and crisis helpline. You can also call the network formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at: 800-273-8255 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
Shaquille Brewster and Will Ujek reported from Ann Arbor, Michigan, and David K. Lee from New York.
