Former University of Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore resolved his criminal case Friday, pleading no contest to two new misdemeanor charges in exchange for the dismissal of a felony count and two previously filed misdemeanors. The agreement was reached during a hearing before Washtenaw County Judge J. Cedric Simpson, who had already expressed concern about potential due process issues in the investigation.
Moore, 37, entered the courthouse Friday holding hands with his wife, Kelly. He pleaded no contest to malicious use of a telecommunications device in a domestic relationship and trespassing. In exchange, prosecutors dropped the original felony home invasion charge along with misdemeanor counts of stalking and breaking and entering in a domestic relationship. Sentencing is scheduled for April 14 in Washtenaw County Court.
What led to the arrest and the original charges
Moore was fired by the University of Michigan on Dec. 10 for cause, following the disclosure of an inappropriate relationship with a female staff member. The staff member had informed the university about the relationship earlier that same day. Hours after being dismissed, He drove to the staff member’s apartment. Police were called and He was arrested. According to authorities, the staff member told police that Moore grabbed a butter knife and threatened to harm himself during the encounter.
He was charged with felony home invasion and misdemeanor counts of stalking and breaking and entering. The arrest came the same day as his termination, a sequence his legal team later argued reflected problems in how the investigation was handled.
How the defense challenged the original charges
Friday’s hearing had originally been scheduled as an evidentiary proceeding in which Moore’s legal team planned to challenge the circumstances of his arrest. His attorneys argued that prosecutors had failed to properly disclose that an employer and employee relationship existed between Moore and the staff member involved, and that the detective’s affidavit contained material omissions.
After those concerns were examined in court, Simpson agreed to dismiss the initial charges. Moore’s attorney, Ellen Michaels, said outside the courtroom that the dismissal confirmed what the defense had argued from the start, that the original charges were not supported by the facts or the law. The assistant prosecutor on the case declined to comment following the hearing.
Moore’s request to be released from an electronic tether he had been wearing as part of his bond agreement was denied by the judge pending further interviews with authorities.
What comes next and what the charges could mean
Attorneys not connected to the case told ESPN they do not expect Moore to serve any jail time at sentencing, though the two misdemeanor counts each carry a potential sentence of up to one year. The April 14 date will determine the final outcome.
Moore spent two seasons as Michigan’s head coach after replacing Jim Harbaugh, who left to take the head coaching position with the Los Angeles Chargers following the Wolverines’ 2023 national championship season. Moore had served as offensive coordinator during that title run. His overall record as head coach was 16 wins and 8 losses before the university terminated his contract.
