BGSU coach Durkin on administrative leave

Offensive line coach off the field following driving incidents

Offensive line coach Bill Durkin.

BOWLING GREEN – A Bowling Green State University football coach is on administrative leave after a pair of driving incidents, including a drunken-driving charge, that took place last weekend.

Bill Durkin, the Falcons offensive line coach, was not with the team for BGSU’s 34-7 victory over Tulsa at Doyt Perry Stadium on Thursday. After the game, BGSU officials indicated that Mr. Durkin was on administrative leave but declined further comment.

According to records from the Bowling Green post of the Ohio Highway Patrol, Mr. Durkin, 42, of Perrysburg, was arrested at the East Wooster Street exit of I-75 at 2:54 a.m. on Aug. 24 and charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence. He also was charged with a marked lanes violation.

Later that morning, Durkin was involved in an injury accident at the intersection of Hull Prairie Road and Five Point Road, outside of Perrysburg.

At 11:20 a.m., Ohio Highway Patrol records indicate that Mr. Durkin was northbound on Hull Prairie Road when his vehicle was struck by Eleanor Bebo, who was driving eastbound on Five Point Road and reportedly failed to stop at the stop sign.

Mr. Durkin’s vehicle went off the road and struck a tree following impact. Ms. Bebo’s vehicle went off the road and struck a stop sign.

Ms. Bebo was cited for failure to yield and was at fault in the accident.

Mr. Durkin was cited for driving under suspension as a result of the drunken-driving arrest earlier in the day.

Mr. Durkin entered a not guilty plea during a first appearance hearing on Monday. He is scheduled to appear in Bowling Green Municipal Court on Sept. 4 at 9:30 a.m.