Ohio State women’s basketball coach Kevin McGuff was arrested last week on a drunken driving charge after cops found him behind the wheel of a car parked in his front yard, the Columbus Dispatch reported, citing a police report.
Another driver called Dublin police last Tuesday to report a reckless driver who struck multiple curbs in a 2013 Toyota Sequoia, the report said, and he was charged with operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI) after refusing a breathalyzer test and smelling of alcohol.
After taking more than two minutes to open the driver’s side door or window, McGuff, 55, denied drinking alcohol or any impairment-inducing medications, the report said.
McGuff told cops he was at a restaurant in Dublin after a 13-second pause when asked where he had been.
The coach was asked to recite the alphabet from D to R and had to be told the instructions three times. He was able to say D but “could not recite any other letters,” according to the report.
The maximum penalty for OVI, a first-degree misdemeanor, is 180 days in jail and $1,000 fine, per the Dispatch.
“The department is in communication with Coach McGuff and monitoring the situation closely. This is an ongoing, personal legal matter, and the department will share additional information at the appropriate time,” Ohio State said in a statement.
McGuff recently completed his 12th season as the Buckeyes’ head coach after two seasons with Washington and nine seasons with Xavier.
He had led Ohio State to the NCAA Tournament eight times, reaching the Elite Eight two years ago and the Sweet 16 three other times.
The Buckeyes lost to Tennessee in the second round of March Madness two months ago.
