East Central's Ben Bowling resigns as football coach
By Staff Reports
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
4/25/12 at 5:42 PM
For the second time in five months, East Central is without a head football coach.
Ben Bowling, who was promoted in late February, resigned Wednesday afternoon, according to a source. Earlier in the day, he pleaded no contest to driving under the influence. He had been suspended with pay since his arrest Sunday.
Bowling, 31, has declined comment but plans to release a statement Thursday. An announcement regarding his status was scheduled for Wednesday but was delayed, a Tulsa Public Schools spokesman said.
About 3 a.m. Sunday, Bowling was found asleep in his parked car in the drive-through lane at Whataburger, 5746 E. 41st St., according to his arrest report. He registered a blood-alcohol content level at the scene of .203, 2 1/2 times the legal limit, the report states.
During his arraignment Wednesday, Bowling pleaded no contest and was given a six-month probation, said his lawyer, Zach Smith. As part of the plea agreement, the charge will be reduced to driving while impaired after six months if Bowling satisfies his probationary requirements.
Bowling also has a DUI charge from November 2008, when he was an assistant coach and substitute teacher at Muskogee.
After three seasons as offensive coordinator, Bowling became the Cardinals’ head coach in late February after three years as offensive coordinator. He succeeded Travis Hill, who was in the position 14 seasons before resigning amid a TPS investigation.
Associated Images:
Ben Bowling.
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