(Image Source: KOMU)

BY BLAKE HANSON

University of Missouri head football coach Gary Pinkel has suspended multiple players during his career for DWIs. Now, he’s finding himself on the receiving end of discipline. Here’s ESPN...

“This just in to Sportscenter, Missouri head football coach Gary Pinkel was arrested on suspicion of Driving While Intoxicated last night in Columbia. Pinkel was booked and then released on $500 bond. Pinkel was pulled over for what deputies called lane and signal violations. The Sheriff’s Department said this is the coaches first offense and that he was cooperative.”

Media outlets are digging through the archives to highlight the hypocrisy of Pinkel’s alleged actions. KOMU-TV broke the story, and writes...

“Pinkel has been an advocate for safe driving, particularly for motorcycle riders. He was the spokesman for the ‘Arrive Alive’ campaign by the Missouri Department of Transportation starting in 2008. In the campaign, Pinkel appeared on posters, billboards, and radio commercials urging drivers to watch out for motorcycles and to drive safely.”

So, what sort of punishment might Pinkel get? We might gain some insight looking back at how he disciplined two of his players last season. Missouri Digital News reports...

“Last season, Mizzou football players, Will Ebner and Beau Brinkley, were also arrested for DWI...and as a result they were suspended.”

But CBS Sports blogger Dennis Dodd doesn’t think this is much of a problem, writing...

“I barely care in these scandal-ridden days. There will be all kinds of questions raised about accountability and hypocrisy -- two of Pinkel's players were suspended for two games because of DUIs -- but I'm having a hard time being outraged. Sorry.”

With Mizzou set to take on Texas Tech Saturday...an ESPN blogger David Ubben raises some valid questions.

“Should Pinkel coach on Saturday at home against Texas Tech? In similar circumstances, would a player play? Nothing causes a coach to lose respect in his locker room faster than inconsistent rules.”

Fans are now left wondering what might happen for the remainder of the Tigers’ season. A writer for Bloguin offers this analysis...

“Which begs the question: from strictly a football standpoint, can Missouri survive the next game or two without their head coach? At 5-5, the Tigers are sitting on the plumb edge of bowl eligibility, with two seemingly winnable games ahead of them.”