MU’s Pinkel Explains DUI, Apologizes; School Mulls Punishment

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The University of Missouri has now put out a press release regarding the arrest on DWI/DUI charges of head football coach Gary Pinkel.  The highlights:


“Last night after practice, I met some friends for dinner.  After dinner, I was stopped by a Boone County officer and received a citation for impaired driving.  First and foremost, I am very disappointed in myself for my lack of judgment in this instance.  Nobody should drink and drive, including me.  My staff and I constantly reinforce with each of our players the importance of not putting yourself into a position such as this.  I did not follow that here and for that, I sincerely apologize to the University of Missouri, to our administration, to the Board of Curators and to our fans.  I have already met with our staff and communicated with our players and have apologized to them.  I accept full responsibility for my actions and will abide by whatever course of action our leadership deems appropriate.” — Pinkel


“We are extremely disappointed in Gary’s lack of judgement.  He is known as a man of great character and integrity.  However, this absolutely goes against everything we stand for, and everything that he teaches his players in regards to our social responsibilities.  We hold ourselves to very high standards, and this is a very serious breach of those responsibilities.  We are gathering facts and will take action appropriately, and when those actions are determined, we will communicate them publicly.” — Missouri AD Mike Alden


We anticipate Pinkel’s contract will be impacted by this arrest.  Whether that means he won’t be given a typical one-year extension on his deal or he’ll have to deal with some new “one strike and you’re out” clauses in the pact, it seems likely that the coach will be hit, but won’t be let go.  He might also face a one-game suspension (the Tigers play Texas tech on Saturday).

Another punishment will be the fact that he’ll now have to deal with this issue on the recruiting trail when talking to moms and dads.  (You don’t think SEC coaches would ever engage in negative recruiting do you?)

Overall, we have to say that Missouri might not be a good cultural fit for the SEC after all.  Why?  Because if this had been a current SEC coach who’d been arrested for DUI, we’d have already had a hundred angry emails from his supporters spelling out the “major” differences between being arrested and being cited.