Former Missouri Tigers football coach Gary Pinkel arrested for alleged DWI
Former University of Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel was arrested Monday night in Camden County for allegedly driving while intoxicated.
According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Pinkel, 73, was arrested at 11:46 p.m. and held at Camden County Jail before being released. While Pinkel will be charged with a DWI, according to the report, no charges had been filed as of Tuesday afternoon.
This could result in Pinkel’s second DWI. On Nov. 16, 2011, Pinkel, then still Mizzou’s head coach, was charged with a DWI just three days before the final home game of the season against Texas Tech. According to the Boone County Sheriff’s Department, Pinkel was pulled over on Keene Street near Broadway and U.S. 63 after driving recklessly.
Amid a failure to recite the alphabet and count backwards from 73 to 62, Pinkel told the arresting officer that he’d consumed two “jumbo” glasses of wine at a post-practice dinner.
Pinkel pleaded guilty, receiving a 30-day suspended jail sentence. He was also fined by Mizzou and suspended for the Texas Tech game, which Mizzou won 31-27.
Talking to reporters a few days after the start of his suspension, Pinkel showed remorse for his actions.
“I’ve taken full responsibility for my lack of judgment and poor decision,” Pinkel said at the time. “I’ve hurt and disappointed a lot of people. ... I’ve always tried to be a good and positive role model.”
“Now it’s up to me to begin earning everyone’s trust and respect back,” he added. “This will never, ever happen again.”
Pinkel, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and College Football Playoff Selection Committee, coached the Tigers from 2001 to 2015. During his tenure, Mizzou tallied five double-digit win seasons. The Tigers also recorded 10-plus wins in consecutive seasons twice during that time, 2007-08 and 2013-14. Such a feat had never been accomplished in Mizzou history until 2008.
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