Pugmire should come clean

Alabama's Mike Price allows at a press conference that his judgment was bad. Iowa State's Larry Eustachy apologizes publicly for drinking with coeds and admits he's an alcoholic. Gary Barnett holds a briefing to address the Colorado football scandal.

Utah State has trouble of its own. But it doesn't involve a coach or a press conference. This time it's athletic director Rance Pugmire, who rolled his SUV two weeks ago near Willard. There is a question whether he was driving while under the influence of alcohol.

So far there hasn't been a word from Pugmire and little from Utah State. Only the ever-popular "paid administrative leave" announcement and a couple of quotes from the president about high expectations. Translation: Hopefully this will blow over in the next 60 days.

Pugmire, who could not be reached for comment, left on a cruise shortly after the incident — a trip he is said to have planned before the wreck. Even so, he would have been wise to cancel it so he could answer the following questions: Was he intoxicated while driving? Does he have a drinking problem? If so, is he getting treatment?

Those are questions that may never be publicly answered. USU would just as soon keep the matter in-house. It's a tried and true formula. A public figure gets in trouble and an investigation ensues. The party in question is placed on leave. It's partly about legality and privacy. But it's also about protecting image and keeping embarrassing details quiet.

Clearly, something happened. Pugmire wrecked a car and police suspected alcohol. But when the investigation is complete, will USU announce the findings? Not likely. The school will quietly reinstate Pugmire, quietly reassign him or not-so-quietly fire him.

Until recently, Pugmire was moving USU's athletic programs ahead. He secured popular basketball coach Stew Morrill, by signing him to contract extensions until 2011. He reinstated the women's basketball program and got Aggie football in the Sun Belt Conference. Recently USU was accepted into the Western Athletic Conference.

What he hasn't done is explain why he is in this mess. If he has a good excuse or even a bad one — let's hear it. If he drove while drinking, he should say so and beg Aggie fans and alumni for a second chance.

A public explanation/apology from Pugmire isn't too much to ask. USU's Student-Athlete Services rules require students to "Present a positive image: Do not do anything that will embarrass yourself, the team you represent or the athletic department."

Let's assume the same standard applies to athletic personnel.