One very bad decision will prove extremely costly in more ways than one for a member of Jimbo Fisher‘s Florida State football staff.
FSU president John Thrasher revealed Thursday that Vic Viloria has been suspended for 30 days without day as a result of a drunk-driving arrest earlier this month. Police were called after the head football strength & conditioning coach’s car sat through several green lights without moving; they found Viloria asleep at the wheel with the truck in drive and his foot on the brake pedal. Subsequent breathalyzer tests revealed Viloria had a BAC of .124 and .125.
He was ultimately arrested on a charge of driving under the influence as well as misdemeanor property damage for hitting a traffic sign.
Viloria acknowledged to officers that he shouldn’t have been driving after consuming alcohol with employees from a “Showtime” crew who are filming the Seminoles for their “A Season With” series. From the Tallahassee Democrat:The coach said he was given a bottle of whisky by the “Showtime” crew and that he opened the bottle in his office and began to drink with two or three “Showtime” employees.
Viloria said he decided it was “inappropriate” to drink in his office where “other university employees or students could possibly see us,” so Viloria and the employees moved to the “Showtime” trailer.
“We have an outstanding athletics program, and fans must know it operates with class and reflects the university’s values,” a potion of Thrasher’s statement read. “We are continuing to work with Showtime on their fall series showcasing our talented team, and they have been responsive to our concerns.”
Viloria’s suspension, which runs from Sept. 2 through Oct. 1, means the coach will not be around for the Seminoles’ first five games of the season. The suspension would keep Viloria sidelined for games against Ole Miss, Charleston Southern, Louisville, USF and North Carolina, with his game-day return set for the Oct. 8 conference matchup against Miami.
Viloria has headed up FSU’s strength program since Fisher took over in Tallahassee seven years ago.