This probably was not the way the new head coach of the Atlanta Hawks envisioned his new gig... (mugshot to the right, thanks
Mike Budenholzer was charged with DUI and a tail light violation, and was released on $1,524 bond at 3:45 Thursday AM.
And what does the HQ say REPEATEDLY about events that happen after 1AM...???
Usually never good...
Just after 9 a.m. Thursday, the Hawks released a brief statement from president of basketball operations and general manager Danny Ferry:
“Bud made us aware of the situation last night. We are in the process of gathering more information and will have further comment at the appropriate time.”
When Budenholzer was pulled over by Georgia State Patrol, odor of alcohol was present (either on the person pulled over or in the vehicle itself- that information wasn't given), a field sobriety test was given, and Budenholzer was placed under arrest. GSP also says that Budenholzer refused a breath test.
Which is his option to do in the field when pulled over...
PM UPDATE: From The Hawks their own selves and 92.9 The Game through Budenholzer's attorney, Michael Hawkins
Last night, Atlanta Hawks head basketball coach Michael Budenholzer was stopped by a Georgia State Patrol DUI Task Force officer for a broken taillight. He was stopped solely for an equipment violation and committed no traffic offenses. The trooper demanded that he submit to a breathalyzer, and when Coach Budenholzer asked to consult with an attorney first, he was immediately arrested and charged with DUI.
While at the jail, after consulting with an attorney by telephone, he immediately volunteered to take both a breathalyzer and also requested that a blood alcohol test be performed. His request for testing was refused. Immediately upon his release on bond, Coach Budenholzer went directly to Piedmont Hospital where his blood was tested at the earliest opportunity, albeit several hours after his arrest. The official report from the hospital blood test revealed that his blood alcohol concentration was less than .01, well below the legal limit of .08.
Coach Budenholzer has no prior criminal record and entered a plea of Not Guilty to all charges this morning in the Atlanta Municipal Court.
The following statement was released through the coach's attorney:
“I take my role as a leader very seriously and hold myself to a high standard. I apologize to the fans and to the Hawks organization for any negative attention this incident has brought upon my family and the organization while the legal process evolves and I contest these misdemeanor charges,” said Coach Budenholzer.
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