BREAKING: Pinkel Suspended One Game Without Pay
MU football coach Gary Pinkel has been suspended without pay for one week and will not coach in the Tigers’ football game against Texas Tech Saturday, MU athletic director Mike Alden said in a Thursday afternoon press conference.
Pinkel, 59, was pulled over by Boone County deputies for a lane and signal violation approximately 10:15 p.m. Wed., Chief Deputy Major Tom Reddin said. Pinkel was arrested on suspicion of a first-time driving while intoxicated offense and immediately posted a $500 bond.
Alden said Pinkel met with the Tigers’ football team at 2:45 p.m. today and began serving his suspension immediately thereafter. He will not be present in MU’s football offices and will not be involved in any game-planning or coaching for Saturday’s game. He will be able to return to the team Nov. 24.
Pinkel will donate the following week’s pay to MU’s Wellness Resource Center, and the donation will amount to $40, 769. Pinkel will not receive his bowl bonus if the Tigers become bowl-eligible, and he will not receive the social responsibility bonus in his contract. The total financial cost of $306,538 if MU reaches a bowl game, according to figures provided in a press release issued by the university. The press release said Pinkel will also issue a letter of apology to Tiger fans and will perform 50 hours of community service by June 30, 2012.
“As I said previously, I deeply regret the negative attention this has brought the Univeristy of Missouri, and I offer my sincere apology to everyone associated with this institution,” Pinkel said in the press release. “I recognize that I’ve let everyone down and I fully accept the terms of this suspension. Everyone is held accountable in our program for their actions, and I’m no different. I hope that our fans will be supportive of our team during this time; they will need their encouragement.”
Alden expressed disappointment in Pinkel’s actions and said the university’s integrity was more important than any individual.
“There’s no question that we’re extremely disappointed in Gary’s lack of judgment,” Alden said. “This goes against everything we stand for and everything we teach our players. The integrity of us as an institution is more important than anything, than any of us.”
Linebacker Will Ebner and reserve tight end Beau Brinkley were suspended for two games last season after being arrested for driving while intoxicated Aug. 2010. Alden said the length of the players’ suspensions had no impact in the decision-making process behind Pinkel’s suspension.
“I think the issues we try to deal with, we don’t deal with them in a cookie-cutter approach,” Alden said. “Each issue that we deal with is different.”
Alden said recent Tigers arrests’ for driving while intoxicated are indicative of a national problem and offer an opportunity for discussion.
“I think this is a tremendously challenging issue nationally,” Alden said. “Drinking and driving is a national epidemic and we know that. When issues like this arise it gives you an opportunity to readdress that situation and recognize that all of us are held accountable.”
More Pinkel DWI coverage
Report: Pinkel to be Suspended Two Games
Clarifying Information of Pinkel Arrest
Update: Pinkel Arrested On Suspicion of DWI (with mug shot)