Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore made his first in-person court appearance following his December arrest and dismissal from U-M.
Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore is innocent of the charges against him and "the truth will come out in court," a lawyer representing him said outside an Ann Arbor court on Thursday, Jan. 22.
"Sherrone Moore is innocent of these charges. Today, on behalf of Mr. Moore, we filed a motion to quash the arrest warrant and dismiss the complaint," said Ellen K. Michaels, Moore's attorney.
"This warrant was issued based on false and misleading statements presented as facts. We're confident the truth will come out in court, under oath, where it belongs. Mr. Moore and his family respectfully ask for your privacy."
The statement came after a brief hearing Thursday afternoon in 14A District Court before Judge J. Cedric Simpson.
In the hearing, Michaels she also needed additional evidence that prosecutors said they did not have in their possession.
It is the second hearing after Moore's arrest related to alleged home invasion and other charges stemming from an encounter at the residence of a woman with whom he had a two-year affair.
The alleged criminal conduct occurred the same day Michigan fired Moore.
Michaels explained what they hoped to accomplish with the motion to quash.
"A motion to quash is a motion saying that this warrant, in this case, an arrest warrant, is not supported by law," Michael's said after Moore left the courthouse. "In this case, that the arrest should be quashed, meaning the arrest is not valid, and any evidence taken or received as a result of that arrest should be quashed and suppressed.
"Also, we are asking that the complaint be dismissed. It's our belief, and you can read it in the motion, that without these misleading statements and omissions, there would be no probable cause for these charges."
Michaels said her team needed more evidence – specifically, phone records and Title IX records believed held by the University of Michigan. She said it's her understanding that there were "statements made by the complaining witness" that will be important to the investigation.
During Thursday's hearing, Simpson asked why Michaels could not get the documents on her own. She said she would be willing to send a subpoena if the court allows it, but she believes prosecutors are seeking the same documents.
Kati Rezmierski, first assistant prosecutor for Washtenaw County, said, "This is not a Title IX investigation, per se."
She added that she is unaware of additional investigative documents that may exist, but agreed phone records are being sought.
Rezmierski said they have provided all evidence they have to Moore's lawyer, but "the investigation is ongoing." She said she just received Michaels' motion Thursday but has "not consumed it in its entirety."
Simpson gave prosecutors until Feb. 2 to respond to the motion to quash. He also set a hearing to discuss the motion at 2 p.m. on Feb. 17. He delayed the probable cause conference until March 19.
Moore, 39, appeared in court with his wife, Kelli, and Michaels. Wearing a grey suit, black tie and white shirt, Moore and his wife made no comment before the hearing. They waited in a nearby courtroom before his case was called. Once Simpson called his case, Moore gave his name when asked in court but said nothing else to the judge.
The hearing was in stark contrast to Moore's initial court hearing, in which he appeared from jail via videoconference, wearing a white jumpsuit.
Still, Moore had to reveal his tracking device on his left ankle when entering court, flashing it to security after it set off the metal detector at the front of the building.
Six sheriff's deputies stood watch throughout the courtroom, amid a couple dozen media members and a few local residents attending for their own hearings or to watch the proceedings.
In December, prosecutors charged Moore with third-degree felony home invasion, misdemeanor stalking and misdemeanor breaking and entering. Experts told the Free Press a typical defendant facing such charges who did not have a criminal record could likely expect a deal that involved probation.
Moore previously denied physically threatening the woman, court records show.
He was jailed for two days before he was released on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond, placed on a GPS tether, instructed to have no contact with the victim and continue mental health counseling.
The woman with whom Moore had a roughly two-year affair – as he confirmed to police, according to court records – did not immediately comment. The Free Press generally does not identify people described as victims of a domestic crime without their consent.
On Dec. 10, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel fired Moore. In a termination letter, Manuel noted Moore carried out an inappropriate relationship with a department staff member and then lied about it.
Earlier that week, prosecutors and law enforcement say, a woman told Moore she wanted to end their roughly two-year affair. She also spoke with the athletic department, providing evidence used to fire Moore.
After his firing, Moore allegedly went to the woman’s home. According to law enforcement, the woman was preparing to leave when he arrived.
"[The woman] advised that she was carrying her belongings downstairs to leave, and while inside of her apartment she heard footsteps outside. [She] indicated that she ran towards the door to secure it, but before she could, Mr. Moore swung the door open and barged into her apartment with tears in his eyes," according to a court statement provided by a Pittsfield Township police detective.
"[The woman] indicated that she was approximately 5 feet from the door when he made entry. She advised that she began backing up and as he was approaching her. [She] advised that Moore grabbed two knives out of her drawer and pointed them at her, 'You ruined my life. You ruined my life.'”
Moore had been on staff at Michigan since 2018, when he joined as tight ends coach. He worked his way up to offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator (2020-21) and was promoted to lone offensive coordinator the next two years (2022-23) before taking over for Jim Harbaugh in January 2024 following the Wolverines' College Football Playoff championship run.
Moore went 17-8 in his 25 games as full-time coach, though two of those victories (vs. Central Michigan and Nebraska in 2025) came while he was suspended for an incident stemming from an NCAA probe into Michigan's impermissible scouting scandal that saw the program get fined upwards of $30 million, placed on four years' probation and receive recruiting restrictions and ended with multiple coaches receiving suspensions and "show cause" orders, should they wish to coach in the college ranks again.
Reach Dave Boucher at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Sherrone Moore lawyer: 'Truth will come out' as hearing pushed back
Category: General Sports
