That disorderly conduct charge WVU B-Ball Coach John Beilein faced from an incident at the Pittsburgh Airport has been settled.
The West Virginia University men’s basketball coach announced Thursday evening that he settled the matter by entering a “no contest” plea and paying a reduced fine.
He had been charged with parking his automobile in a “no-parking” zone at Greater Pittsburgh International Airport while loading bags after a family trip.
An officer with the Allegheny County police department also accused the coach of disorderly conduct.
“I have taken the advice of my attorney who feels this is the best way to conclude this matter and avoid further unnecessary attention to a simple parking issue,” Beilein said in a prepared statement.
“I want to emphasize that this decision is in no way an admission of guilt. I believe that the situation was misrepresented.
“There was obviously a misunderstanding that occurred in my discussion with the officer.”
As I said, it was a glorified parking ticket. It’s just damn funny. Not to mention that Beilein really felt the need to rationalize the whole thing. Especially the part about pulling the “do you know who I am?” card on the cop.
“It is important for me to say that I did not challenge the officer nor did I use my position as basketball coach for any reason other than to exemplify my respect for the officer’s position.
“In the officer’s report, he interpreted it as a lack of respect and, in fact, it was the exact opposite intention I was trying to convey to him.”
Suuuure he did. Protest. Too much. Doth. Methinks.
How did that go? How do you casually work in being the head basketball coach at WVU in the conversation with a cop telling you to move your car? As a way of “conveying” respect?