In a swift turn of events, Greg Scruggs, the newly appointed defensive line coach for the University of Michigan, has stepped down following his third arrest for drunk driving. Scruggs, whose tenure with the Wolverines was short-lived, found himself in legal trouble just 10 days after taking the job on March 8.
According to WWJ Newsradio 950, the 33-year-old was arrested in Ann Arbor after police officers observed his vehicle with hazard lights on. A subsequent investigation by the Ann Arbor Police Department led to Scruggs performing poorly on a field sobriety test, and blowing a 0.16 and 0.17 on a breathalyzer, both readings well above the Michigan limit of 0.08.
"I just received notice that Greg Scruggs has resigned his position, effective immediately," Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore stated, as reported by 247Sports through WWJ Newsradio 950. This development comes as a blow to the Wolverines' coaching staff, already navigating the waters of a recent staff overhaul after the departure of former head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Following his arrest, Scruggs was suspended "indefinitely while we review details of the incident," Moore explained, according to the Associated Press. The incident marks Scruggs' third such offense; he had previous drunk driving arrests while a player for the University of Louisville in 2011 and later as a member of the Seattle Seahawks in 2013. "He made no excuses and has taken accountability for his actions," Moore added, in a nod to Scruggs' recognition of the gravity of the situation.
Scruggs' background includes a stint as the defensive line coach for the Wisconsin Badgers and the New York Jets, as relayed by his since-deleted profile on U-M's staff directory page and as Fox News reports. The Cincinnati native also boasts a five-year NFL career where he clinched Super Bowl titles with both the Seahawks and the New England Patriots. Scruggs faces potential penalties in Michigan that include up to 93 days in jail, $100-500 in fines, and a driver’s license suspension for up to six months if convicted.
