'My blood is on your hands': Fired Michigan coach Sherrone Moore charged with stalking, home invasion after axing

Fired University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore broke into the apartment of a woman with whom he had been having an affair and threatened to kill himself after she reported the relationship to the school and he lost his job, prosecutors said.

Moore was charged with three crimes, including home invasion and stalking.

As he watched by video from jail, authorities laid out extraordinary allegations against Moore and provided details that answered a key question: What led Michigan to suddenly oust the 39-year-old coach this week after his second season at the helm of the storied football program?

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Moore and the woman had been having an affair “for a number of years” before she ended the relationship Monday, said Kati Rezmierski, Washtenaw County first assistant prosecutor.

Moore repeatedly called the woman and texted her, but she refused to respond, Rezmierski said.

“Eventually she presented herself to the University of Michigan. Cooperated in some form of an investigation. As we all now know (Moore) was fired from his employment,” the prosecutor said.

Moore was dismissed for an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, the school said without offering details.

After losing his job, Moore soon arrived at the woman’s apartment and “barged his way” in, Rezmierski told a judge.

“Then proceeded to a kitchen drawer, grabbed several butter knives and a pair of kitchen scissors. And began to threaten his own life,” she said.

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’ve ruined my life.”

“She was terrorised,” Rezmierski said.

A not-guilty plea was entered on Moore’s behalf by District Court Magistrate Odetalla Odetalla. He said very little besides acknowledging the conditions of his release from jail, including no contact with the woman. Bond was set at $US25,000.

The court hearing was held just 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) from Michigan Stadium where Moore, who is married and has three children, coached his last game against rival Ohio State in front of more than 100,000 fans in late November.

Defence attorney Joe Simon said Moore was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation after his arrest Wednesday and then returned to the jail.

He said Moore would “absolutely comply” with Odetalla’s order for an additional evaluation. Moore must wear a GPS tracking device, stay in Michigan and abstain from alcohol. The next court hearing was set for Jan. 22.

“There’s no evidence to suggest he’s a threat,” Simon said.

Moore signed a five-year contract with a base annual salary of $5.5 million ($AUD8.2 million) last year. According to 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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