News Tribune

ALAN SCHER ZAGIER

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel offered a public apology Thursday after his overnight arrest on suspicion of drunken driving.

In an afternoon news conference Mike Alden said if another such action took place, Pinkel would have to do 50 hours community service, have a one year salary freeze and not be eligible for other bonuses.

Boone County Sheriff’s Office records show that deputies pulled Pinkel over in Columbia, Mo., and jailed him Wednesday night on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. He was released from the Boone County Jail after posting a $500 bond. A county prosecutor said that no decision had been made about filing formal criminal charges.

In a written statement, Pinkel said he “accept(s) full responsibility for my actions and will abide by whatever course of action our leadership deems appropriate.” The coach said he was stopped by deputies after a post-practice dinner with friends.

“First and foremost, I am very disappointed in myself for my lack of judgment in this instance,” Pinkel said. “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.”

The sheriff’s department said the incident is Pinkel’s first offense.

Pinkel is in his 11th season with the Tigers. He is 82-54 overall, including three 10-win seasons in the last four years and six consecutive bowl game appearances. Missouri (5-5) faces Texas Tech on Saturday its final home game of the season before a game in Kansas City against Kansas next week. Those are likely the school’s final football games in the Big 12 Conference as it prepares to move to the Southeastern Conference as soon as next year.

Pinkel said he has met with his coaching staff about the incident and also apologized to his players.

“This absolutely goes against everything we stand for, and everything that he teaches his players in regards to our social responsibilities,” said Alden, Thursday afternoon. “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 Chancellor Brady Deaton issued his own statement criticizing Pinkel’s “lack of judgment” — a day after Deaton told a meeting of Missouri professors that alcohol abuse among students is a growing problem on campus.

“Coaches must hold themselves to the very highest of standards,” Deaton said. “I was deeply disappointed to hear the news about coach Pinkel.”

The chancellor’s statement, like Alden’s, suggested that Pinkel could face disciplinary action from the school as well as possible criminal charges.

In April, Pinkel received a two-year contract extension through the 2017 season. He earns a guaranteed annual salary of $2.35 million. His teams have largely avoided off-field trouble, although two players and assistant coach Bruce Walker were arrested on alcohol-related charges in August 2010.

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Alan Scher Zagier can be reached at http://twitter.com/azagier