A former Michigan football coach, Sherrone Moore, allegedly had a prolonged history of domestic violence against a female football staffer during their relationship, according to the staffer’s attorney who spoke with police.
Detective Jessica Welker of the Pittsfield Township Police testified under oath at a complaint authorization hearing on Friday, ahead of Moore’s arraignment on charges including third-degree home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering.
A transcript of the hearing, reviewed by The Athletic, provides new context about the events that led to Moore’s arrest on December 10. The staffer told investigators that she disclosed her relationship with Moore to the university earlier that day and was preparing to leave town when Moore allegedly forced his way into her apartment.
The staffer’s attorney, Heidi Sharp of Clinton Township, Michigan, made a 911 call to report that Moore was inside the staffer’s residence. Sharp told authorities that she could hear screaming on the line, and the staffer cried out, “He’s here. He’s here. Sherrone is here.”
According to Welker’s testimony, the staffer stated that Moore grabbed weapons and pointed them at her, then pointed the knives at himself and stepped back when the staffer placed her attorney on speakerphone. Moore denied physically assaulting the staffer or threatening her with weapons during a police interview later that same night.
The charging prosecutor’s office described the situation differently, explaining to The Athletic that, at the time of charging, evidence suggested Moore intended to terrorize and harass the victim, which underpins the stalking charge. They noted that Moore’s own statements indicated self-harm, which, in their view, did not establish beyond a reasonable doubt an intent to assault or batter.
The Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office said the case remains under active investigation and could see additional charges or amendments if new evidence emerges. They also stated they had not received requests for charges related to any earlier incidents involving Moore.
Moore, speaking with police on the night of his arrest, acknowledged that he and the staffer had been in an intimate relationship for roughly two years. The staffer said she ended the relationship on December 8, two days before Moore was fired, and told him she had nothing more to say. She reported that Moore called her roughly a dozen times and sent text messages over the following two days.
Both Moore’s and the staffer’s legal representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
