Michigan authorizes probe into athletic department after Sherrone Moore firing

This week, the Michigan Board of Regents authorized a law firm to expand its investigation into the athletic department’s handling of Sherrone Moore’s situationa person familiar with the decision told CBS Sports on Friday.

The law firm Jenner & Block was charged with the review, which the source described as an “open” investigation into the athletic department. CBS Sports granted the source anonymity due to the sensitivity of the investigation.

Moore, 39 years old, was dismissed with cause during a one-on-one meeting with Athletic Director Warde Manuel Wednesday afternoon after evidence of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Information about the relationship was relayed to the department that morning, sources told CBS Sports.

Hours later, Moore was in jail after allegedly breaking into an employee’s home and threatening to harm herself with butter knives and scissors, according to the Washtenaw County (Mich.) District Attorney’s Office and Pittsfield Township police.

The Detroit News first reported Friday that Michigan’s board of trustees had authorized a broader investigation into the athletic department.

This development follows a letter from university President Domenico Grasso to students and faculty, encouraging anyone with additional information about Moore to contact Jenner & Block.

“This breach of trust by Coach Moore is painful for many members of our community, first and foremost the individuals directly involved in this situation,” President Domenico Grasso wrote in the letter obtained Thursday by CBS Sports. “Yet our swift and decisive action reflects the university’s strong commitment to a culture of respect, integrity and accountability on campus.”

Moore was arrested by police Wednesday and formally charged Friday with felony home invasion, as well as misdemeanor counts of stalking and breaking or entering without force and entry. He was released Friday afternoon on $25,000 cash bail. A judge ordered continued mental health treatment, imposed a GPS tether, blocked Moore from leaving the state of Michigan and barred him from any contact with the alleged victim.

Moore appeared in court Friday afternoon via video conference, wearing a white jail-issued shirt and pants, sitting alone in a small room. A prosecutor said during the arraignment that Moore told the alleged victim: “I’m going to kill myself. I’m going to make you watch. My blood is on your hands. You’ve ruined my life.”

The prosecutor later added that the alleged victim “was terrified” by Moore’s behavior.

Moore is due back in court Jan. 22 for a probable cause conference.

Moore was 16-8 in two seasons, leading the Wolverines. He was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach after Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL following the school’s first national title since 1997. Associate head coach Biff Poggi was named interim head coach Wednesday as the university searches for a replacement for Moore.

Michigan (9-3) is scheduled to face Texas in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

Richard Johnson contributed to this report.