Greg Scruggs, the new defensive line coach for Michigan football, was taken into custody early on Saturday morning for reportedly driving while intoxicated, according to The Detroit News.
Following his early Saturday morning arrest for allegedly operating a vehicle while inebriated, Michigan football announced the permanent suspension of Greg Scruggs, its new defensive line coach.
Coach Sherrone Moore of U-M released a statement on Saturday afternoon announcing the suspension.
“Greg was arrested for driving while intoxicated after making a regrettable error. Moore remarked, “He accepted responsibility for his actions and made no excuses.” “The football program and athletic department have suspended Greg indefinitely while we review the details of the incident.”
Eight days had passed since Michigan formally declared Scruggs a new defensive line coach on staff. The Ann Arbour Police Department verified the event in a message to Angelique Chengelis of The Detroit News, who broke the story initially, even though a police report for the arrest is not yet available.
The 33-year-old Scruggs has coached the defensive line for the New York Jets, Wisconsin, and Cincinnati. He took Mike Elston’s place when the two-year Michigan coach left to join the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason. Don “Wink” Martindale, a seasoned defensive coordinator, oversaw a group of brand-new head coaches that Scruggs joined on the defensive coaching staff.
The Wolverines made the announcement of his hiring on March 8. That release included a comment from Sherrone Moore, the head coach of the University of Michigan, referring to Scruggs as “a great football coach and an even better person.”
Scruggs, a native of Cincinnati, excelled at Louisville from 2008 to 2011 (where he served as a graduate assistant for three of those years), but his college career was cut short when he was suspended for driving under the influence. After that, he played in the NFL for six seasons before joining Cincinnati’s staff under Luke Fickell in 2018. In 2020, he received a promotion to defensive line coach after serving as director of player development.
In Michigan, the penalty for driving while intoxicated varies based on the driver’s BAC and if it’s their first offence. In the event that the BAC is less than.17 and it is the first offence, the following penalties may apply: a $500 fine, 93 days to 180 days in jail, 360 hours of community service, 180 days of license suspension, and six points on the driver’s license. According to the Michigan Vehicle Code, if a conviction takes place within seven years of the preceding one, it will be deemed a second offence legally.
