Former Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore was sentenced to 18 months of probation with no jail time on Tuesday after allegedly trespassing on the home of a staff member with whom he had an affair.
Moore was also fined more than $1,000 and ordered not to have contact with the staff member, Paige Shiver, or to use drugs or alcohol during his probation.
The sentencing followed a plea deal last month in which Moore agreed to plead no contest to new misdemeanor charges of malicious use of a telecommunications device and trespassing. In exchange, prosecutors in Washtenaw County (Mich.) dismissed the previous charges, which included third-degree felony home invasion.
“I don’t believe, when I look at the entirety of this situation, that incarceration should be appropriate,” District Court Judge J. Cedric Simpson said, per reports. “I warn you Mr. Moore, should there be a violation, all bets are off. I don’t like sending people to jail, but I don’t have a problem doing it.”
Moore’s lack of a previous criminal history helped him avoid jail time, and Simpson noted the support of his wife Kelli Moore as the person “saving you from the full wrath of this court.” The husband and wife have held hands as they entered and exited the courthouse during the proceedings.
Moore, 40, read a statement in court that thanked his faith and his wife. Neither of them took questions outside the courthouse.
“Sherrone is grateful for this matter to be resolved and he and his wife Kelli are ready to move forward with their family and focus on the next chapter,” defense attorney Ellen Michaels told gathered media.
Michigan fired Moore for cause on Dec. 10 for engaging in a longstanding relationship with his executive assistant. On the day he was fired, he allegedly went to the apartment of the woman with whom he had the affair. She told authorities he barged in, grabbed two butter knives and backed her into a corner.
Moore was arrested and spent two nights in jail. The original charges of home invasion, stalking and breaking and entering included penalties of up to five years in prison.
Moore had a 16-8 record at Michigan after taking over for Jim Harbaugh, for whom he served as offensive coordinator. Both he and Harbaugh were embroiled in a sign-stealing controversy from the school’s 2023 national championship season, with Moore ultimately serving a two-game suspension.
