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Saul Smith DUI is 'embarrassing' according to Gophers' AD

Minnesota assistant coach Saul Smith was arrested for drunken driving on Saturday night.

Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE

The Minnesota Gophers have placed men's basketball assistant coach Saul Smith on unpaid leave following his arrest for drunken driving. Athletic director Norwood Teague said, "We just can't have behavior like that. It's just not good for anyone. It's embarrassing, and I won't tolerate it."

Smith is the son of Minnesota head coach Tubby Smith. Still, Teague has insisted that he, not Smith, will determine the length of the suspension.

Saul Smith played 143 games for his father at Kentucky. He then worked as an assistant coach at Kentucky and Tennessee Tech before rejoining his father in Minnesota.

Teague has already dealt with drunken driving controversy this offseason. Power forward Trevor Mbakwe was arrested for DWI over the summer, but will not miss any regular season games. Despite a history of legal and disciplinary issues, Mbakwe was allowed to remain on the team.

Minnesota's season will kick off on Nov. 9 against American University.

Photographs by Micah Taylor, clairity, and Fibonacci Blue used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.