- Tickets MARCA. Get the best tickets for sports events on Tickets Marca
- College Football. Lou Holtz's legacy: How President Trump recognized his impact on football
Former University of Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore has reached a plea agreement that resolves a criminal case stemming from the chaotic aftermath of his firing late last year.
Moore appeared in a Washtenaw County courtroom on Friday and agreed to plead no contest to two misdemeanor counts, malicious use of a telecommunications device and trespassing.
In exchange, prosecutors dropped the more serious charges he originally faced, including a third-degree felony home invasion and additional misdemeanors related to stalking and breaking and entering.
The legal development brings a significant shift in a case that has hovered over Moore since December, when his tenure leading the Michigan Wolverines football program ended abruptly.
Moore, who succeeded Jim Harbaugh as head coach in 2024, will return to court for sentencing on April 14.
While the misdemeanor convictions could carry potential jail time, attorneys not involved in the case have indicated that prison is unlikely given Moore's lack of prior criminal history.
The 40-year-old coach left the courthouse alongside his wife, Kelli, who attended the hearing and sat in the front row during proceedings.
The case that unraveled Moore's tenure
The criminal charges originated on Dec. 10, 2025, the same day the University of Michigan dismissed Moore with cause after an internal investigation found he had maintained an inappropriate relationship with an executive assistant in the athletic department.
According to authorities, the situation escalated shortly after the dismissal. Prosecutors said Moore went to the woman's apartment following the end of their relationship, which had reportedly lasted several years. The encounter led to police involvement and Moore's arrest later that day.
Investigators initially accused Moore of forcing his way into the apartment and confronting the woman during an emotional exchange.
The case quickly drew national attention, not only because of Moore's high-profile position but also because it unfolded within hours of his termination from one of college football's most prominent programs.
Moore spent two nights in jail following the arrest, and prosecutors originally pursued charges that carried the possibility of several years in prison if he had been convicted.
Under Friday's plea agreement, however, those more serious accusations were formally dismissed.
Moore's attorney, Ellen Michaels, argued in court that the original charges lacked sufficient factual and legal support.
"All the [initial] charges against Mr. Moore were not supported by facts of law," Michaels said after the hearing. "The dismissal of those charges validates the concerns we raised about the investigation from the very beginning.
"Mr. Moore is pleased to put this behind him and move forward."
A promising career interrupted
Before the legal troubles, Moore had been widely viewed as one of college football's rising coaching figures.
After serving as offensive coordinator under Harbaugh, he was promoted to lead the Wolverines following the program's national championship season in 2023. Over two seasons as head coach, Moore compiled a 16-8 record.
His tenure, however, unfolded during a turbulent period for Michigan football. The program faced scrutiny over a sign-stealing controversy tied to the championship season, and Moore himself served a suspension during that saga.