Basketball Coach Arrested for OVI Following Yard Parking Incident and Alphabet Confusion, Say Police
Last week, Kevin McGuff, the head coach of Ohio State women's basketball, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Kevin McGuff, head coach of the Ohio State University women’s basketball team, was arrested last week on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence (OVI), according to police and official reports.
Authorities responded to a call from a bystander who reported reckless driving involving a 2013 Toyota Sequoia. The caller stated that the vehicle had struck several curbs and driven through a yard before coming to a stop in a residential area. Upon arrival, officers found McGuff parked in his front yard inside his vehicle. Police noted a strong odor of alcohol coming from the coach, as detailed in the incident report.
According to the police, it took over two minutes before McGuff opened the driver’s side door or window after they approached his vehicle. During the interaction, McGuff denied having consumed any alcohol or taking medications that could cause impairment. He also refused to take a Breathalyzer test when requested.
The report further states that McGuff was asked three times to recite the alphabet from the letter D to R. However, each time he only said the letter D before stopping, without continuing further.
When questioned about what he had done prior to the incident, McGuff told officers, after a 13-second pause, that he had been at a restaurant. When asked specifically what he ate, he reportedly replied simply, “dinner.”
Ohio State University issued a statement acknowledging the situation: “The university is in communication with Coach McGuff and monitoring the situation closely. This is an ongoing, personal legal matter, and the university will share additional information at the appropriate time.”
McGuff has led the Buckeyes since 2013, amassing a 224-109 record during his tenure. Under his leadership, the team has made eight NCAA tournament appearances. Prior to Ohio State, McGuff served as head coach for Washington for two seasons and Xavier for nine years.
The situation remains under review by both law enforcement and Ohio State University officials. Further details will be released as the case progresses.