ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The law firm hired by the University of Michigan to investigate former football coach Sherrone Moore’s relationship with a staff member will continue to investigate the program and prepare to expand the probe to the entire athletic department, according to two people familiar with the matter.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss details.
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Michigan State fired Moore on Wednesday after the school said an investigation found he had an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. He is married and has three daughters.
Moore, 39, was charged with three counts after prosecutors said Friday he “broke into” the apartment of a woman he was having an affair with and threatened to kill herself.
Athletic director Ward Manuel told the school board during the season that he asked Moore if he and the woman were romantically involved, but both denied it, according to people familiar with the matter. They said Manuel told the board he reviewed hundreds of text messages and emails between Moore and the woman on a school-issued cellphone and computer and found nothing inappropriate.
The school later hired a law firm to investigate the matter further and began working on campus on Monday, but the woman did not show up for work, according to the two people. They said her attorney met with the company on Tuesday and on Wednesday she presented evidence of her relationship with Moore, when Manuel fired Moore without the presence of human resources or campus police.
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Long before Manuel’s inquiry and the law firm’s investigation, an out-of-state social media influencer contacted the school to express concerns about Moore’s behavior, two people familiar with the matter said.
Moore faces felony charges of burglary and stalking.
Washtenaw County Prosecutor Kati Rezmierski said he had been having an affair with the woman for “many years” before ending the relationship on Monday. Rezmierski said Moore called and texted the woman multiple times, but she refused to respond.
Shortly after losing his job, Moore burst into the woman’s apartment “and went to a kitchen drawer, grabbed several butter knives and a pair of kitchen scissors. And began threatening his own life,” Rezmierski said.
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Prosecutors quoted Moore as saying: “I’m going to kill myself. I’m going to make you watch. You have my blood on your hands. You’ve ruined my life.”
Moore entered a not guilty plea on Moore’s behalf and was released from jail on a $25,000 bond. Moore said little in court other than to acknowledge conditions including that he have no contact with the woman.
Defense attorney Joe Simon said Moore “absolutely complied” with the judge’s order for additional assessments. Moore must wear a GPS tracking device, stay in Michigan and abstain from alcohol. The next court hearing is scheduled for January 22.
Moore signed a five-year contract last year with a base annual salary of $5.5 million. Under the terms of his deal, the school didn’t have to buy out the remaining years of his contract because he was released for cause.
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No. 18 Michigan will face No. 14 Texas in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31. Biff Poggi will serve as interim coach, replacing Moore earlier this season after he was suspended in the Jim Harbaugh-era sign-stealing scandal.
The school is searching for a coach and hopes to hire one this month to help it retain recruits and give players enough confidence in the program to avoid entering the transfer portal next month.
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Editor’s note – This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact America’s National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat online through 988lifeline.org
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