COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri head football coach Gary Pinkel pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drunk driving Friday, earning a 30-day suspended sentence and two years of probation.
Pinkel, 59, was arrested on Wednesday night after being pulled over by Columbia Police. According to court documents, Pinkel was driving his Chevy Avalanche at 30 mph in a 65 mph zone, but then sped up to 65 as he entered a highway, crossing several lanes without signaling.
Click Here to Read the Probable Cause Statement (PDF)
The probable cause statement says that Pinkel made several wide turns, crossed a double-yellow line and nearly struck a curb before he was pulled over. Pinkel admitted having a couple of glasses of wine, but refused to take a field sobriety test due to a leg injury.
Pinkel later consented to a blood test, but that evidence will now likely be destroyed after the guilty plea.
After the arrest, Pinkel was suspended and would not be allowed to attend practices or meetings, and will also not be allowed to be on the sidelines on Saturday when MU takes on Texas Tech in Columbia. Defensive coordinator Dave Steckle will be the acting head coach.
Pinkel will be allowed to return for MU’s final Big 12 regular season game against Kansas at Arrowhead Stadium on November 26. The penalties handed out by the school in the wake of the incident are expected to cost Pinkel over $300,000.
MU is leaving the Big 12 Conference for the Southeastern Conference at the end of the season.
As a part of his probation, Pinkel must also receive a substance abuse assessment and attend monthly courthouse classes that include drunken driving victims.
