EUGENE — Oregon co-offensive coordinator David Reaves, already in the process of being fired following a January DUII arrest, instead resigned Friday, according to a school spokesman.
Reaves is set to be arraigned Feb. 13 in Eugene Municipal Court on charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving and reckless endangerment stemming from a Jan. 22 police stop in downtown Eugene. Eugene police also cited Reaves for failing to drive within a lane, failing to obey a traffic control device, making an improper left turn and refusing to take a breath test for intoxicants.
The university announced the day of the arrest it had placed Reaves on administrative leave with plans to fire him, a statement that came just five days after his hiring — his two-year contract was set to pay him $300,000 annually — was officially announced by UO.
Reaves, 38, was stopped by police in downtown Eugene at 2:12 a.m. Jan. 22 and left Lane County jail after posting bail worth $1,460 nearly eight hours later. Six patrol units responded to the traffic stop, a Eugene police spokeswoman said, because Reaves’ vehicle had failed to yield to police for one block.
David ReavesLane County jail
Oregon receivers coach Jimmie Dougherty was a passenger in the car at the time of the stop. He was not charged with a crime. Citing a personnel manner, UO has declined to detail whether Dougherty faced, or would face, any discipline.
Reaves had followed new Oregon coach Willie Taggart from South Florida, where he’d worked in a variety of roles on the offensive side since 2013. He called plays in USF’s bowl victory in late December and though he wasn’t expected to hold similar responsibilities with the Ducks, he was given the title of passing game coordinator while also coaching tight ends.
Reaves’ arrest and the move to fire him came shortly after Oregon disciplined another of its new football coaches, football strength and conditioning coach Irele Oderinde, who was suspended for a month without pay. In addition, he will now report to the school’s director of sports performance instead of Taggart. The suspension came after offensive linemen Sam Poutasi and Doug Brenner, and tight Cam McCormick all were hospitalized for several days following the team’s first week of offseason conditioning workouts.
Taggart said last week that Oregon created “player panels” in the wake of both incidents, so that prospective recruits visiting UO in January could ask current players about any concerns.
Reaves originally was scheduled to appear Jan. 22 for an arraignment, but his attorney, Hugh Duvall, appeared on his behalf and asked the court to push back Reaves’ court appearance. The arraignment now falls after the Feb. 1 national signing day, when UO signed 24 players to its latest recruiting class.
On signing day, Taggart said he expected to hire for Reaves’ position soon.
— Andrew Greif
agreif@oregonian.com
@andrewgreif
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