On Thursday, former college football coach Sherrone Moore made his return to court for the first time since facing multiple felony charges last month.
Moore, who previously coached the Michigan Wolverines, was dismissed on December 10th after a university investigation uncovered an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a staff member. He arrived at the 14A-1 District Court in Washtenaw County accompanied by his wife, Kelli.
Appearing somber in a dark suit and tie, Moore walked through the courthouse hallways, trailed by a throng of reporters and photographers. He was later seen inside the courtroom as the proceedings unfolded.
This court appearance marked the first public sighting of Moore and his wife Kelli since December 14th, when they were leaving his attorney’s office in Ann Arbor.
The controversy began on December 10th when Moore, a father of three, was terminated by Michigan following their probe into the alleged ‘inappropriate relationship.’ Subsequently, the 39-year-old was arrested for an alleged assault that occurred just hours after his dismissal.
The former coach now faces charges including breaking and entering, home invasion, and stalking, after allegedly entering a woman’s apartment, confronting her, and threatening self-harm, leading to him spending two nights in jail.
Disgraced college football coach Sherrone Moore, pictured alongside wife Kelli (left) returned to court on Thursday for the first time since he was arraigned on multiple felony charges
Moore pictured going through security procedures at the Washtenaw County Courthouse
Former Wolverines head coach Moore was fired by Michigan after having an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a staffer before being arrested for an alleged assault later that same day
Police records show the incident took place at the home of his executive assistant Paige Shiver. He was eventually granted a $25,000 bond and released.
If convicted on all counts, Moore, who has pleaded not guilty, could face up to six years behind bars.
During Thursday’s hearing, the defense requested a further 30 days for discovery in relation to ‘phone records’ and ‘Title IX documents.’
Moore’s attorney said: ‘There were statements made and things done earlier that day [when Moore was arrested] made by the complaining witness that will be important to this investigation because credibility will always be an issue’.
The defense also filed a motion to quash Moore’s arrest warrant, with his attorney requesting separate dates for that motion and for the probable cause conference.
The prosecution will be due to respond to the motion by February 2nd. A hearing for the motion is now set for February 17th and will be an in-person hearing. The probable cause conference, meanwhile, has been adjourned to 9am on March 19th.
Since his shock arrest and firing, the university have since named Kyle Whittingham as his successor after the coach agreed to a five-year, $41million deal.
Further bombshell claims emerged earlier this week after a former Michigan star alleged that teammates used the scandal as a way to blackmail Moore.
A stony-faced Moore stood beside his attorney during the hearing on Thursday afternoon
The 911 call that led to Moore’s arrest was made from an apartment belonging to his executive assistant, Paige Shiver (pictured)
Moore, 39, is accused of breaking into the home of former executive assistant Shiver
Moore has been married to his wife, Kelli, since 2015. They have three daughters together
Former Michigan wide receiver Anthony Simpson claimed that his playing time with the team was limited due to other players blackmailing Moore over his affair.
The claim has not been substantiated. The Daily Mail have reached out to the University of Michigan for comment regarding the Simpson’s claims.
Meanwhile, in documents seen by Daily Mail, the unnamed staffer claimed that she had been in an ‘intimate relationship’ with Moore, with the coach himself admitting to detectives that it had lasted ‘approximately two years’.
The staffer is alleged to have ended the relationship two days before the arrest, also filing a report to the University of Michigan revealing the details of their romance.
Despite being dumped, Moore – who is married to his wife Kelli with three young daughters – is then said to have bombarded his former mistress with ‘dozens of text messages and calls’ over the next two days.
As he awaits his next court date, Moore is being forced to wear a GPS tether and is receiving mental health treatment as conditions of his release.
The police report also states that he has been prohibited from having any contact with the unnamed staffer, who remains employed by the University of Michigan.
The scandal took another dramatic twist late last month after audio recordings of the terrifying 911 call made by Moore’s wife, Kelli, on the day he lost his job at Michigan.
Moore’s career came crashing down after the coach was fired by Michigan and arrested
Audio recordings of the 911 call made by Moore’s wife, Kelli, on the day he lost his job emerged
The couple were last seen on December 14th as they left a meeting with Moore’s lawyers
In audio obtained my TMZ, a terrified Kelli told the 911 dispatcher: ‘I’m worried my husband is going to hurt himself’.
When asked why she believed that, Kelli replied: ‘Because he said that to me. He said he is trying to kill himself’.
The dispatcher then asked for Moore’s whereabouts. Kelli replied: ‘I don’t know. He just called me saying he got fired from his job, and he’s in crisis.
‘I told him that I love him and that I need him to come home, but I don’t know where he is. He said he was on a highway.’
Kelli continued by naming Moore and revealing his role as the coach of the Michigan Wolverines to the 911 operator, before insisting she wanted him to come home.
‘I just need to make sure he’s safe. He’s called a couple times, and I’m terrified he’s gonna do something to himself. I told him to come home,’ Kelli said on the call.
Ellen Michaels, the lawyer who is now representing Moore in response to the criminal charges he is facing, told The Athletic: ‘Sherrone Moore denies any criminal wrongdoing.
‘There is no history of domestic violence, no prior adjudication supporting claims of dangerous conduct, and no judicial determination validating these allegations. This matter will be decided in court based on evidence and due process, not speculation.’
Michaels was contacted by the Daily Mail and offered the chance to add further comment on The Athletic’s reporting.
