Baseball America | Blog | Baseball America College Blog | Texas Suspends Garrido After DWI Arrest

Texas coach Augie Garrido, the winningest coach in college baseball history, has been suspended indefinitely with pay by the Longhorns after being arrested for drunken driving early Saturday morning. Garrido failed a field sobriety test near downtown Austin around 1 a.m. Saturday, according to the Associated Press. Travis County Jail officials told the AP that Garrido was not in jail Saturday afternoon but did not release details about his custody status or bond.

DeLoss Dodds, the school’s men’s athletics director, said Garrido would be suspended with pay while the school investigates the incident.

"This is a difficult and regrettable situation that we are taking very seriously," Dodds said in a statement. "I spoke with Coach Garrido and he’s devastated and realizes he made a serious mistake. He deeply regrets putting the university in this position and will act quickly to do what’s right."

Garrido, 69, has a Division I -record 1,629 career wins and has won five national titles, including two at Texas and three at Cal State Fullerton. Texas made four straight College World Series appearances from 2002-’05 but has failed to win a regional since capturing the 2005 national title.

I don’t understand why UT suspended Augie. He’ll probably be on regular status again before the end of the month. It’s only a misdemeanor offense. It’s not like he committed a violent felony. Also, he doesn’t have a history of breaking the law. Perhaps DeLoss Dodds is just trying to cover the athletic department’s “rear end,” or maybe there are some underlying issues that helped cause the suspension. I just hope Texas makes it to the College World Series this year. I don’t attempt to model my decisions or my social life after Augie. However, I do enjoy seeing him lead the Longhorn baseball team to the College World Series. Hook ‘em Horns! Jim Fletcher, 1997 UT-Austin alumnus

Posted by Jim Fletcher | January 17, 2009 at 5:42 pm | Shortcut

Jim Fletcher…”It’s not like he committed a violent felony.”

So you’re saying that it wouldn’t be a big deal if he wrecked, killing one of your family members? This is why he was arrested. It’s a serious matter. Coach Garrido knew better. I’m a HUGE fan of his, being a big Fullerton fan. I’ve got an autographed 8×10 of him in my apartment. Still, he should be punished. Suspension is necessary. I’m sure he’s already learned his lesson, and it should never happen again; however, you just cannot let this go…

Posted by Michael Boykin | January 19, 2009 at 8:18 pm | Shortcut

Oh course he should be suspended. You can’t be the head coach at a major University and do something as stupid as that. Misdemeanor or not, it is wrong and a person is his position should be very embarassed. What if he’d hit someone…I’m sure it wouldn’t be okay then.

Posted by Cooper | January 19, 2009 at 9:55 pm | Shortcut

Well, I guess that UT doesn’t think Augie’s arrest was all that big of a deal either. After all, he will only be suspended with pay for the initial four-game series against UI-Chicago, which is a series Texas will probably sweep with or without Augie. I don’t think driving while intoxicated is a really severe offense. Lawmakers in Texas seem to agree with me, which is why the first two DWI convictions are misdemeanors, and first time offenders typically receive a sentence of 180 days of probation. Lastly, I’ve never driven while intoxicated, despite the fact that I lived for four years in Germany, where drinking is a way of life. I lost two good Army buddies in two separate alcohol-related traffic accidents, but that doesn’t change the fact that the offense of DWI doesn’t involve any criminal intent. I hope I make it to age 70 without getting arrested. Hook ‘em Horns! Jim Fletcher, 1997 UT-Austin alumnus

Posted by Jim Fletcher | January 26, 2009 at 11:00 pm | Shortcut