UM assistant basketball coach charged with DUI

Assistant men’s basketball coach pleaded not guilty to drunken driving Monday morning in Missoula municipal court.

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.

It was the second time Marso had been charged with drunken driving. Court records showed that he was also charged with DUI on March 7, 2004. 

Marso submitted an Alford plea in that case – meaning he didn’t admit guilt, but there was likely enough evidence to convict him. He completed the state’s mandatory treatment program, according to the records.

The Athletic Department was mostly mum on the latest issue Monday. Neither Marso nor head coach Wayne Tinkle returned calls, and Athletic Director Jim O’Day was out of town and did not reply to a message left on his cell phone.

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.

The 35-year-old Marso was booked at 4:18 a.m., according to police records. He was released at 5:54 a.m. after fellow assistant coach Andy Hill posted the $500 bond.

In 2003-2004 Marso was an assistant under then-coach Pat Kennedy. That year he took a job as head coach at Garden City Community College in Kansas. He returned to Montana as an assistant under Tinkle last season.

Former men’s basketball coach Blaine Taylor, who held the post from 1991 to 1998, was arrested for DUI in the mid-’90s. Taylor kept his job after going through counseling, Sports Information Director Dave Guffey said.