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 was charged Friday 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, 39, who has been held at the Washtenaw County jail, a mere 3.9 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. When Moore allegedly forced his way into the woman’s home, he grabbed several knives and made threats toward himself, prosecutor Kati Rezmierski told the court.
The woman was in a years-long relationship with the married Moore and she allegedly told him on Monday morning that she was breaking up with him, Rezmierski said.
That’s when he 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.
He showed up at her apartment in anger on Wednesday and threatened to kill himself, authorities said.
“‘I’m going to make you watch my blood is on your hands. You ruined my life,’ ” Rezmierski said, quoting the defendant’s alleged words to the victim.
The university fired Moore on Wednesday for allegedly having 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 on the 3000 Block of Ann Arbor Saline Road.
The statements did not name Moore, but jail records showed him in custody there.
“This investigation is ongoing and under review by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor,” a police statement said Thursday.
“The suspect remains in custody at the Washtenaw County Jail and is expected to appear in court for arraignment on [Friday].”
Moore is married with three children.
It wasn’t immediately clear on Friday if Moore had hired or been assigned a criminal defense lawyer.
“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.
He had been at the Wolverines’ helm for two seasons, going 17-8 overall and 12-6 in rugged Big Ten play.
Moore 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.
Shaquille Brewster and Will Ujek reported from Ann Arbor, Michigan, and David K. Li from New York City.
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