Former Michigan Coach Moore in Court on Felony Charges

Former University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore returned to court this week amid ongoing charges stemming from his abrupt firing last month for an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, as a former player leveled separate accusations of blackmail against the program.

Moore, 39, was dismissed on December 10 after a university investigation revealed a two-year affair with executive assistant Paige Shiver and determined he had provided false statements during interviews. Hours later, authorities say Moore entered Shiver's Ann Arbor apartment uninvited, confronted her about his job loss and blamed her for it. He allegedly grabbed butter knives and kitchen scissors from a kitchen drawer and threatened to kill himself, telling her, "My blood is on your hands." Prosecutors in Washtenaw County charged Moore with third-degree home invasion, a felony, along with misdemeanor stalking and breaking and entering. He pleaded not guilty and was released on $25,000 bond, required to wear a GPS tracking device and have no contact with Shiver, who remains employed by the university.

A judge in Ann Arbor scheduled a status hearing for Thursday to review the case, six weeks...