Marso is taking a break from the team

Posted on November 2, 2007 by Colin O'Keefe
I've been working on a couple other things so this is kind of old news but here is the latest in Brian Marso Passed-Out-in-a-Taco-Bell-Drive-Thru-Gate.

From The Missoulian:
“We're going to give him some time to sort through some things, put a plan in place,” Montana basketball coach Wayne Tinkle said after the Grizzlies' 77-46 win over Great Falls. “When we're confident he's done that, we'll welcome him back.

“We know he's hurting and we wish him the best. We've just kind of agreed that's what he's going to do for the time being. We look forward to him rejoining us down the road.”
This is best for both sides. UM gets to, at least temporarily, distance itself from the controversy and Marso gets a chance to get ahold of himself.
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Details on the Marso DUI

Posted on October 30, 2007 by Colin O'Keefe
Here are the details on assistant basketball coach Brian Marso's arrest for driving under the influence. These excerpts are from a front page article in the Montana Kaimin.
Brian Marso, in the second year of his second stint with the Grizzlies, was cited with DUI early Saturday when police received a report that he was passed out behind the wheel of his Isuzu pickup truck in the drive-up lane at the Taco Bell on Brooks Street, according to an affidavit by the arresting officer.

However, in a press release issued late Monday afternoon, O’Day said, “At this time we are investigating what took place Saturday morning.  This matter is in the courts and we will continue to closely monitor the situation as it moves forward.“Both Coach Tinkle and I would be severely disappointed and concerned in Coach Marso’s apparent lack of judgment if these charges are proven.  Our coaches and student athletes are held to high standards and we take that very seriously.  It is an internal personnel matter and will be dealt with accordingly.”

According to the officer’s affidavit, Marso smelled strongly of alcohol and his eyes were red and watery.

Marso refused a Breathalyzer test but failed other field sobriety tests, the documents said.
Going off the press release alone, things do not look good for Marso. "Coach Tinkle and I would be severely disappointed" sounds more like "this may cost you your job." I'm not sure where I sit on this. This would be Marso's second DUI with the Griz, the first coming as an assistant under Pat Kennedy. This doesn't set a good example for other players but JD Quinn has three DUIs and he's still on the football team.

On a humorous note, you have to at least smirk at his style. If you're going to get a DUI—which you should never do because you can kill someone, seriously, don't do it—falling asleep in the Taco Bell drive-thru has to be one of the better ways to do it.
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