A former Michigan football coach accused of stalking and breaking into the apartment of a female football staffer was also alleged to have a “long history of domestic violence” during their relationship, according to sworn police testimony.
During a complaint authorization hearing last week, Detective Jessica Welker of the Pittsfield Township Police Department testified that the allegation was made by the woman’s attorney ahead of the former coach’s arraignment.
The coach, Sherrone Moore, is charged with third-degree felony home invasion and misdemeanor stalking and breaking and entering. The allegations stem from a Dec. 10 incident in which police say Moore entered the staffer’s apartment after she disclosed their relationship to university officials earlier that day and was preparing to leave town.
According to a transcript of the hearing obtained by The Athletic, the woman’s attorney, Heidi Sharp, called 911 after hearing screaming over the phone. The staffer allegedly told her lawyer, “He’s here. He’s here. Sherrone is here.”
Welker testified that the staffer told police Moore grabbed knives inside the apartment, pointed them at her, and then pointed them at himself while threatening self-harm. The staffer reportedly placed her lawyer on speakerphone, at which point Moore backed away.
Moore denied physically assaulting the staffer or threatening her with weapons during a later interview with police, Welker testified. He was not charged with assault.
In a statement, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office said the available evidence supported charges related to harassment and terrorization, but not assault.
“The evidence that was available to us at the time of the charging decision indicated that Mr. Moore had an intent to terrorize and harass the victim, which is the basis for the stalking charge. Given that his statements were those of self-harm, however, there was not sufficient evidence to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, an intent to assault or batter the victim.”
Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office
Prosecutors said the case remains under active investigation and that charges could be amended if new evidence emerges. They also said they have not received requests related to alleged prior incidents involving Moore.
Moore told police he and the staffer had been in an intimate relationship for approximately two years. The staffer told investigators she ended the relationship on Dec. 8 and told Moore she had “nothing more to say to him.” She said Moore called her roughly a dozen times and sent multiple text messages over the next two days.
Attorneys for Moore and the staffer did not respond to requests for comment.
University officials confirmed the relationship was disclosed the day of the incident. Michigan President Domenico Grasso later announced an external law firm review into the athletic department’s culture and procedures, stating the school’s next football coach would be held to the “highest moral character.”
Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh acknowledged contacting Moore following his firing and arrest, saying he was still trying to process the situation.
If convicted on the felony home invasion charge, Moore could face more than six years in prison, along with fines. Michigan’s bowl preparations were turned over to interim coach Biff Poggi following Moore’s removal.
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