Sherrone Moore, the former head football coach at the University of Michigan, was fired last week with cause, after a university investigation found credible evidence of an inappropriate intimate relationship with a female football staffer that violated school policy.
Things got exponentially worse from there. Moore has since been hit with serious criminal charges stemming from an alleged break-in at his mistress’s home.
The two had been involved in a relationship for approximately two years, a fact the coach admitted in discussions with police on the night of their encounter. This, along with many other details, has come to light following sworn testimony by a detective at a complaint authorization hearing.
A transcript of that hearing was obtained and reported on by The Athletic.
The staffer involved in the inappropriate relationship with Moore told police she ended the said relationship two days before his firing, prompting Moore to call and text her repeatedly.
She claims to have disclosed the affair to the university and was preparing to leave town when Moore allegedly entered her apartment without permission. What followed was a confrontation where he grabbed knives, pointed them at her, then at himself, while threatening to kill himself, according to the report.
Sherrone Moore and domestic violence
While Sherrone Moore was not ultimately charged with assault due to the nature of the threat being self-harm, it’s not exactly a leap to think his wild behavior may not have been a first-time incident.
And, according to the woman’s lawyer’s own words at the hearing, there may have been a history of trouble.
The staffer’s lawyer called 911 during the incident, informing police of screaming and alleging that Moore had a “long history of domestic violence” against the woman during their relationship.
The lawyer says Moore only de-escalated once the woman put her legal counsel on speaker. The lawyer said she could hear the woman saying, “He’s here. He’s here. Sherrone is here.”
Moore was arrested that day and charged with felony third-degree home invasion, along with misdemeanor stalking and breaking and entering; he denied assaulting her or threatening her with weapons in his police interview.
The case remains under active investigation, but no assault charges have been filed.
Moore denied physically assaulting the staffer or “threatening her with any weapons” in his own discussion with police that night. Prosecutors cited “intent to terrorize and harass” as the basis for the stalking charge, but admitted assault would be a bridge too far since “there was not sufficient evidence to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, an intent to assault or batter the victim.”
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Not over yet
The University of Michigan announced it is expanding its investigation into the conduct surrounding the recent firing of former head football coach Sherrone Moore.
In a statement released Wednesday, Interim President Domenico Grasso announced that the probe into Moore’s actions will continue to uncover additional information and assess potential misconduct by others.
He revealed that the university has retained the law firm Jenner & Block to conduct a broader review of the athletic department’s culture, conduct, and procedures.
Grasso emphasized that “no stone will be left unturned,” pledging decisive action against any employees based on credible evidence, amid a challenging period for the university community marked by anger and disillusionment.
Looks like any other coaches or staff engaged in inappropriate relationships had better start wiping their fingerprints.