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By Kent Larsen
December Drunk Driving Incident Proves Costly to BYU, Player
PROVO, UTAH -- Both BYU's football team and a team member, potential recruit
and former player are paying the price of a drunk driving incident December
9th associated with a recruiting trip. BYU has now placed the player, star
running back Brian McDonald, on probation, and dropped the recruit from its
list of potential candidates.
In addition to McDonald, 20, who rushed for 455 yards last season and scored
eight touchdowns, former Cougar wide receiver Jonathan Pittman and recruit
D.J. Coote were involved in the incident. Also in the car was a former Snow
college running back, Dennis Simmon, and a fifth, unnamed passenger. Both
Pittman and Coote have been cited in the incident, Pittman with driving
while intoxicated, and they are both disputing the charges. Coote has been
dropped from BYU's recruiting list, and reportedly will attend Oregon State.
McDonald was cited for underage drinking, but plead not guilty. A pre-trial
hearing on the charge is scheduled for February 15th. BYU has put him on
probation for a year, but will allow him to remain in school and practice
and play with the team. Conditions of his probation are confidential, said
BYU spokeswoman Carrie Jenkins, however, she also said that McDonald is
expected to be disciplined by BYU coach Gary Crowton for violating team rules.
Source;
McDonald on Probation But Won't Miss Games for BYU
Salt Lake Tribune 20Jan01 S2
By Michael CD. Lewis: Salt Lake Tribune
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