ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Fired University of Michigan football coach Sherron Moore broke into the apartment of a woman he was having an affair with and threatened to kill himself after she reported the relationship to the school and he lost his job, prosecutors said Friday.
Moore was charged with three crimes, including home invasion and stalking.
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As he watched the video from jail, authorities laid out unusual charges against Moore and provided details that answered a key question: What led Michigan to abruptly fire the 39-year-old coach on Wednesday after his second season at the helm of the storied football program?
Moore and the woman had an affair “for several years” before she ended the relationship Monday, said Kathy Rezmierski, first assistant Washtenaw County prosecutor.
Moore repeatedly called and texted the woman, but she refused to respond, Rezmierski said.
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“She eventually came to the University of Michigan. She cooperated in some form with the investigation. As we all now know, (Moore) was fired from her job,” the prosecutor said.
Moore was fired for having an inappropriate relationship with an employee, the school said Wednesday, without releasing details.
After losing his job, Moore soon arrived at the woman's apartment and “barged” inside, Rezmierski told the judge.
“Then he went to the kitchen drawer and grabbed some butter knives and kitchen scissors. And he started threatening his own life,” she said.
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The prosecutor quoted Moore as telling the woman: “I'm going to kill myself. I'm going to make you watch. My blood is on your hands. You ruined my life.”
“She was terrorized,” Rezmierski said.
District Court Judge Odetalla Odetalla entered a not guilty plea on Moore's behalf. He said very little other than acknowledging the conditions of his release from prison, which included no contact with the woman. Bail was set at $25,000.
The hearing took place just 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) from Michigan Stadium, where Moore, married with three children, coached his final game against rival Ohio State in front of more than 100,000 fans on Nov. 29.
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Defense lawyer Joe Simon said Moore was taken to hospital for a mental health evaluation after his arrest Wednesday and then returned to prison.
He said Moore would “fully comply” with Odetalla's order for further evaluation. Moore must wear a GPS tracking device, remain in Michigan and abstain from alcohol. The next court hearing was scheduled for January 22.
“There is no evidence that he poses 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 university will not have to buy out the remaining years of his contract because he was fired for cause.
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Moore, the team's former offensive coordinator, was named to lead the Wolverines after they won the national title. He succeeds Jim Harbaugh, who returned to the NFL to lead the Los Angeles Chargers.
Michigan is going to play No. 14 Texas Dec. 31 at the Citrus Bowl. Biff Poggi, who replaced Moore when he was suspended earlier this season due to the Harbaugh era. sign stealing scandalwill serve as interim coach.
As the school searches for a new head coach, the Wolverines could lose players to the transfer portal this winter, and donors who help fund revenue sharing and zero-revenue deals may be hesitant to invest in the most successful program in college football history.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: This article discusses the issue of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, you can reach the US National Suicide and Crisis Line by calling or texting 988. There is also online chat at 988lifeline.org.
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Larry Lage and Ed White, Associated Press
