Former University of Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore entered a no-contest plea to two misdemeanor charges Friday as part of a legal agreement that saw several more serious charges, including a felony, dropped by the court.

Moore, 39, pleaded no contest to one count of malicious use of a telecommunications device in a domestic relationship and one count of trespass. In exchange for the plea, charges were dropped for third-degree home invasion, stalking, and breaking-and-entering. The dismissed felony stalking charge had been a central point of contention for the defense throughout the proceedings.

The charges followed a December incident where Moore allegedly entered the home of a former university staff member shortly after he was terminated by the school. Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel fired Moore on Dec. 8, citing an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate. Prosecutors alleged that following the firing, Moore went to the woman’s Pittsfield Township apartment, where he reportedly brandished kitchen utensils and threatened self-harm.

Defense attorney Ellen Michaels stated that the basis for the no-contest plea was related to potential civil litigation. Under Michigan law, a no-contest plea is treated the same as a guilty plea for the purposes of sentencing, but cannot be used as an admission of guilt in a civil lawsuit.

"From the beginning, we maintained that the felony stalking charges against Mr. Moore were not supported by facts and law," Michaels said following the hearing. She added that the dismissal of those charges validated concerns regarding the initial investigation.

Judge Cedric Simpson presided over the hearing, which he ordered to review evidence after questions arose regarding the prosecution's omission of the prior relationship between Moore and the complainant in earlier filings. While the felony was dropped, Simpson declined a defense request to remove Moore’s GPS tether.

A statement released on behalf of Paige Shiver, the woman involved in the case, called for the University of Michigan to conduct a deeper investigation into institutional failures. The statement described a "power imbalance" and alleged years of manipulation and exploitation during her time as a subordinate under Moore.

Moore is scheduled for sentencing on April 14. The malicious use of a telecommunications device charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail, while the trespass charge carries up to 30 days.