Ex-Michigan coach Sherrone Moore granted evidentiary hearing to challenge validity of arrest after firing, scandal

Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore is going to get an evidentiary hearing next month.

A judge granted Moore’s motion for the hearing on Tuesday, which will allow his lawyer to actually challenge the basis for his arrest in their quest to have the entire case thrown out, according to The Athletic. That hearing is currently set for March 2.

Moore’s attorney argued in court on Tuesday that a detective did not disclose that the alleged victim in the case had worked closely with him within the Michigan football program. That, his attorney argued, presented a one-sided picture that was used to establish probable cause for his arrest in the first place.

“Judge Simpson got it right in this motion, and due process matters,” Moore’s attorney, Ellen Michaels said. “Coach Moore maintains his innocence, and the truth will come out.”

Moore was fired in December and then arrested hours later in a massive scandal. The university fired him for cause after it said he “engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.” He was eventually charged with third-degree home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering. Officials said that Moore grabbed butter knives and kitchen scissors at the woman’s house after he was fired and threatened to take his own life.

In court on Tuesday, Michaels argued that a detective only told a court magistrate that the alleged victim had been in a romantic relationship with Moore, not that the alleged victim also worked for the Michigan football program and needed to communicate with Moore regularly. That meant that repeated communication from Moore to the alleged victim, Michaels argued, may not actually constitute stalking.

Michigan reportedly received a tip in October that Moore had been in a relationship with the alleged victim, though they initially denied it. Officials then said that the woman broke up with Moore and came forward to the university in December to reveal the years-long relationship.

Prosecutor Kati Rezmierski argued Tuesday that disclosing the working relationship would not have altered the underlying facts that justified Moore’s arrest, per the report. Rezmierski cited messages that Moore sent after his firing, including allegedly, “I hate you,” and “My blood is on your hands,” as evidence of the stalking.

“On Dec. 10, as was sworn to by detective Welker, there is more than sufficient probable cause for the issuance of a warrant that includes stalking,” Rezmierski said. “That’s my position.”

Moore had been Michigan’s offensive coordinator under previous coach Jim Harbaugh, though he was promoted to take over for Harbaugh before the 2024 season. He spent two seasons as the team’s head coach. Michigan has since hired Kyle Whittingham as its next head coach.