Gonzaga Basketball Coach Arrested For DUI After Claiming He Had Nothing To Drink

Coeur d’Alene, ID – Gonzaga University men’s basketball coach Mark Few was cited for driving under the influence in Coeur d’Alene on Monday night.

The incident occurred at about 8 p.m. on Sept. 6 near the popular tourist town by Lake Coeur d’Alene after police received a report that Few was speeding and driving erratically, ESPN reported.

The police report said that when officers stopped the 58-year-old Few in his Cadillac Escalade, he showed “several signs of intoxication.”

However, the basketball coach claimed he had nothing to drink and declined to perform field sobriety tests, ESPN reported.

He later blew a .119 and .120, both well above the legal driving limit, TMZ reported.

Few released a public apology on Tuesday.

“I believe as a leader and role model, I am expected to set only the best example,” the coach said in a statement. “The decisions I made yesterday do not exemplify this standard and for that, I sincerely apologize to you all. I recognize that operating a motor vehicle after consuming any amount of alcohol exhibits poor judgment.”

“Regardless of the outcome of the pending investigation, I will never allow such a lapse in judgment to occur again,” Few said. “Please know that I am committed to learning from this mistake and will work to earn back your trust in me.”

He went on to apologize to his players, the campus community, and his family for disappointing them.

Statement from Mark Few: pic.twitter.com/VrXyq8PQvm

— Dana O'Neil (@DanaONeilWriter) September 8, 2021

Gonzaga Athletic Director Chris Standiford said in a statement that the university was aware of the report regarding their basketball coach, ESPN reported.

“While the facts of the situation are still being evaluated, we understand its severity and the legal process that will follow,” Standiford said. “As a Gonzaga employee, we respect Coach Few’s right to privacy and will refrain from further comment at this time.”

Few has a career record of 630-125 and the highest winning percentage (.834) in the history of Division 1 coaches, although Gonzaga lost in the NCAA championship game last year, TMZ reported.

Few was named the Associated Press “Coach of the Year” in 2017 and has been the West Coast Conference “Coach of the Year” 14 times.