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COLUMBIA — MU Chancellor Brady Deaton issued a statement Thursday saying that he expects Athletics Director Mike Alden to take "appropriate action" concerning football coach Gary Pinkel's arrest on suspicion of DWI Wednesday night.
"I expect Mike Alden to take appropriate action and he has my support in doing so," Deaton's statement said. "I also expect and believe that Coach Pinkel will accept full responsibility for his actions and will act in accordance with the standards he expects from his players."
- Because of his arrest on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel could lose up to $347,307, including $40,769 donated to the MU Wellness Resource Center by Pinkel. The loss is about 15% of his annual income. The graphic shows a breakdown of the financial impact.
- After being arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel was penalized with a one-week suspension without salary or guaranteed incentives. Other terms of his suspension include a one-year salary freeze, ineligibility for any bonus from playing in a bowl game and ineligibility for a social responsibility bonus. In total, Pinkel could lose up to $306,538 under these terms, which includes another week’s salary and benefits that Pinkel has promised to donate to the MU Wellness Resource Center.
Pinkel has been suspended for one week without pay, athletics Director Mike Alden announced at a 4 p.m. news conference at Mizzou Arena.
Pinkel apologized Thursday morning via a statement of his own.
"First and foremost, I am very disappointed in myself for my lack of judgment in this instance. Nobody should drink and drive, including me. ... I sincerely apologize to the University of Missouri, to our administration, to the Board of Curators and to our fans," Pinkel said in the statement.
Alden also issued a statement saying he was "disappointed in Gary's lack of judgment."
"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," Alden's statement said. "We are gathering facts and will take action appropriately, and when those actions are determined, we will communicate them publicly.”
Pinkel said that he met some friends for dinner, then was stopped by an officer and issued a citation for impaired driving.
Pinkel said in his statement that he has already met with the football team and staff and apologized to them.
Maj. Tom Reddin of the Boone County Sheriff’s Department said Pinkel, who lives in the 4800 block of Silver Cliff Drive, was pulled over by sheriff’s deputies at 10:15 p.m. Wednesday on Keene Street just north of Broadway for lane and signal violations. Pinkel was driving a Chevy Avalanche.
Reddin said evidence was collected showing alcohol was involved, and Pinkel was taken into custody. Reddin said Pinkel was very cooperative while in custody.
Reddin said Pinkel's arrest did not show up on the department's 0700 report because of a "hiccup" that happens when information is posted around midnight. Reddin said the computer gets confused about where to put the information, so it doesn't show up.
Pinkel posted $500 bond and has been released. Reddin said the investigation was ongoing.
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