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University appointed law firm michigan The program’s investigation into former football coach Sharon Moore’s relationship with an employee will continue and is set to expand its investigation to the entire athletic department, according to two people familiar with the situation.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss details.
Michigan fired Moore on Wednesday after the school said an investigation revealed he had an inappropriate relationship with an employee. He is married and has three daughters.
Moore, 39, was charged with three crimes after prosecutors said Friday he “forced his way” into the apartment of a woman with whom he was having an affair and threatened to kill herself.
According to people familiar with the situation, athletic director Warde Manuel told the school board during the season that he asked Moore and the woman if they were in a relationship and both denied it. He said Manuel told the board he reviewed hundreds of text messages and emails between Moore and the woman on school-issued cellphones and computers and found nothing inappropriate.
According to the two people, the school later hired a law firm to further investigate the matter and began canvassing the campus when the woman did not show up for work on Monday. He said his attorney met with the firm on Tuesday and he testified about his relationship with Moore on Wednesday, when Manuel fired Moore without the presence of human resources or campus police.
Well before Manuel’s inquiry and the law firm’s investigation, an out-of-state social media influencer had contacted the school to express concerns about Moore’s behavior, two people familiar with the situation said.
Moore faces serious charges including felony domestic battery and stalking.
Washtenaw County Prosecutor Kati Rzemierski said he and the woman had been having an affair “for several years” before the relationship ended on Monday. Moore repeatedly called the woman and texted her, but she refused to respond, Rzemirski said.
Shortly after losing his job, Moore stormed into the woman’s apartment, “then went to a kitchen drawer, took several butter knives and a pair of kitchen scissors. And began threatening her life,” Rezmierski said.
The prosecutor quoted Moore as telling the woman: “I’m going to kill myself. I’m going to keep looking at you. My blood is on your hands. You’ve ruined my life.”
Moore entered a not guilty plea and was released from jail after posting a $25,000 bond. Moore said little in court other than admitting to other conditions that he was to have no contact with the woman.
Defense attorney Joe Simon said Moore would “fully comply” with the judge’s order for additional evaluation. Moore must wear a GPS tracking device, remain in Michigan and abstain from alcohol. The next hearing of the court was scheduled for January 22.
Moore signed a five-year contract last year with a base annual salary of $5.5 million. According to the terms of his deal, the university did not have to buy out the remaining years of his contract if he was fired for cause.
No. 18 Michigan set to play No. 14 texas Dec. 31 at the Citrus Bowl. Biff Poggi, who replaced Moore when he was suspended earlier this season in connection with the Jim Harbaugh-era sign-stealing scandal, will serve as interim coach.
The school is searching for a coach and hopes to have a appointment made this month to help retain the new coaches and give players enough confidence in the program to stay out of the transfer portal next month.
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Editor’s note – This story contains discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the US National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.
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