Gophers' Saul Smith on unpaid leave

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota assistant basketball coach Saul Smith, the son of head coach Tubby Smith, has been placed on indefinite unpaid leave by the university after his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

The school announced the punishment Sunday for the 32-year-old Smith. It said Smith was pulled over by police early Saturday morning after leaving a downtown Minneapolis restaurant and is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 3.

In a statement distributed by the university, athletic director Norwood Teague cautioned against quick judgment but said he and Tubby Smith were "taking this matter seriously." Teague said the school's values "dictate that our coaches and staff be positive role models for our student-athletes."

Smith is in his sixth season on his father's staff at Minnesota.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print
• Subscribe