A Missouri college football coach has received a suspended sentence of 30 days in jail for his guilty DUI plea, and has also published a lengthy missive to his fans apologizing for his conduct, as reported by the Kansas City Star.
The coach, G.P., has been suspended from his team.
G.P. pleaded guilty to a class B misdemeanor DUI - and has been freed from serving any time in jail and from paying any fines. G.P. must, however, refrain from any similar DUI-related incidents during a two-year probationary period.
Bogdon Susan, the attorney representing G.P., said, "The resolution of Coach (G.P.'s) case is consistent with the remorse he has already acknowledged, and his desire to take full responsibility for his actions" and that his sentencing was "the same as any other member of the community facing the same charge."
Susan added that Missouri statute included a 30-day penalty of a suspended driver's license, with the additional possibility of another 60 days of further restrictions of driving privileges.
After the sentencing agreement was announced, an open letter to University of Missouri fans, allegedly written by G.P., was placed on the team's website. The letter was addressed to the "Tiger Nation."
These are some portions of Coach G.P.'s letter:
"I reach out to you with a sense of great personal disappointment and regret over the decisions I made this past Wednesday night...I've worked hard to represent you and the University of Missouri...with the highest standards of integrity. I put myself in a situation that was absolutely counter to those standards and it pains me to know that I let you all down..."
"Social responsibility and discipline are two things I constantly emphasize to our team. My lack of both in this instance will hopefully prove to be a teachable moment.... Don't let my mistake shed a negative light...I realize it's not as simple as saying sorry and moving on. I expect to be held accountable. I embrace the challenge of building back the trust of Tiger fans everywhere...."
G.P. was pulled over on November 16 at approximately 10:15 p.m. as officers were alerted to his driving behavior through his lane change and signal violations.
On November 17 the Missouri athletic director, M.A., suspended him for one week.
Along with the suspension, G.P. may be facing financial penalties - possibly in excess of $306,000 - in his withheld salary and loss of incentives.
The suspension prevents the coach from attending to his team - by any contact whatsoever - for a full week. During that period he will be missing one Saturday game. When the suspension is up, he will be reinstated as head coach just in time for the team's final game of the season.
If you are facing charges of DUI, DWI, OWI, or OUI, and are concerned with the loss of your driving privileges, jail time or heavy fines, contact a DUI attorney to best represent you.