ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Former University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore barged into a former lover's home and threatened to kill himself, telling her that his "blood is on your hands," prosecutors said Friday.
Moore, 39, was charged with alleged home invasion, stalking and breaking and entering, following his shocking arrest and termination from one of the sport’s most prestigious jobs.
The alleged home invasion is a felony while the other two charges were filed as misdemeanors against Moore, who has been held at the Washtenaw County jail — about 4 miles from Michigan Stadium where he’d been head of the storied Wolverines football program.
Moore appeared in a video feed wearing an all-white jail uniform and heard authorities explain how he allegedly lashed out over the romantic relationship that had ended.
The victim had been in a years-long relationship with the married Moore when she allegedly broke it off with him on Monday, according to Kati Rezmierski, first assistant prosecutor for Washtenaw County.
Moore allegedly reacted by “making numerous phone calls and sending numerous texts,” before the woman eventually “presented herself to the University of Michigan” and “cooperated in some form of investigation,” according to Rezmierski.
Moore allegedly barged into the woman's home through an unlocked door "without permission" on Wednesday and grabbed two butter knives and a pair of scissors, Pittsfield Charter Township police said.
"'I'm going to kill myself,'" Rezmierski told the court, quoting the defendant’s alleged words to the victim. "'I'm going to make you watch my blood is on your hands. You ruined my life.'"
The woman called her lawyer and told Moore she was going to call police before he left, prosecutors said.
Moore was picked up "without incident" police said.
Magistrate Odetalla Odetalla on Friday granted Moore $25,000 bail, ordered him to wear a GPS monitor and stay away from his former girlfriend.
He was no longer in jail booking records Friday evening.
Defense lawyer Joseph Simon said his client has no objections to additional psychological evaluations.
After Moore was taken into custody on Wednesday, he was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation, according to Simon. Moore was then returned to police custody and not subjected to a mental health commitment, the attorney added.
"He's got a home here, his family is here. He's got ties to our community," Simon said. "My client is not otherwise a danger to the public."
The university fired Moore on Wednesday, alleging he had an “inappropriate relationship with a staff member.”
“When the findings of a University investigation into Coach Moore’s behavior were presented on Wednesday, we immediately terminated his employment,” university President Domenico Grasso said in a statement on Thursday.
“There is absolutely no tolerance for this conduct at the University of Michigan. None,” the statement added.
When asked about Moore, police in nearby Pittsfield Township issued a statement saying an “assault investigation” suspect was taken into custody.
The statements did not name Moore, but jail records listed him in custody there.
“This investigation is ongoing and under review by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor,” a police statement said Thursday.
Moore is married with three children.
He had been at the Wolverines’ helm for two seasons, going 17-8 overall and 12-6 in rugged Big Ten play.
He took over for Jim Harbaugh, who led Michigan to the national championship before leaving to become head coach of the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers.
Michigan is considered one of college football’s most prestigious programs, having won more games than any other team while competing for one of America’s top public universities.
“This breach of trust by Coach Moore is painful for many in our community, first and foremost, the individuals directly involved in this situation,” Grasso said in his statement.
“Yet our swift and decisive action reflects the University’s staunch commitment to a campus culture of respect, integrity and accountability,” Grasso said.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 or go to 988lifeline.org to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously 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. Li from New York City.
