Central Oklahoma associate head football coach James Curlee will lead the program for the time being, according to a statement from university following the recent arrest of head coach Adam Dorrel for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
“We are evaluating options to hold Coach Dorrel accountable in this situation,” the university said in a statement provided to The Oklahoman. “His actions are not consistent with the standards and expectations we have for members of the Broncho community. He has expressed regret and is taking responsibility for his actions, and we are assisting him with getting the help he needs. For the time being, Associate Head Coach James Curlee will lead the football program.”
Curlee was promoted to associate head coach before last season. He joined the Bronchos in 2021 along with Dorrel and quickly became a dynamic offensive coordinator.
Together, they led UCO to a record-setting season, an MIAA championship for the first time in program history and a second-round Division II playoff appearance. It was the Bronchos’ first postseason win since 1998.
Dorrel, 50, signed a contract extension in December.
But he was arrested on Thursday, April 3, in Edmond, according to a court affidavit.
Edmond police responded to the area of Smiling Hill Boulevard and South Bryant Ave. shortly after 5 p.m. after a witness reported a vehicle driving erratically and hitting a curb. According to the affidavit, the officer located the vehicle parked in the roadway. He spoke with the driver, Dorrel, who “had slurred speech and had difficulty explaining where he was and why he was there.”
The officer detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle. Dorrel, whose eyes were reportedly bloodshot and watery, said he had not been drinking and that he was on medication, though he could not identify the medication, according to the affidavit. After the officer asked for identification, Dorrel was unable to locate it. Dorrel then told the officer he was “there to help people and was meditating.”
Dorrel later told the officer, “You obviously know that I’ve been drinking.” Dorrel admitted to drinking two whiskeys, according to the affidavit.
Dorrel did not consent to a field sobriety test, initially refused to exit his vehicle and was then arrested, according to the affidavit.
An Edmond police officer later found a found a coffee mug containing whiskey in Dorrel’s vehicle, according to the affidavit.
Dorrel has not been charged in Oklahoma County District Court.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: UCO football to be led by James Curlee ‘for the time being’ in 2025
Central Oklahoma associate head football coach James Curlee will lead the program for the time being, according to a statement from university following the recent arrest of head coach Adam Dorrel for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
“We are evaluating options to hold Coach Dorrel accountable in this situation,” the university said in a statement provided to The Oklahoman. “His actions are not consistent with the standards and expectations we have for members of the Broncho community. He has expressed regret and is taking responsibility for his actions, and we are assisting him with getting the help he needs. For the time being, Associate Head Coach James Curlee will lead the football program.”
Curlee was promoted to associate head coach before last season. He joined the Bronchos in 2021 along with Dorrel and quickly became a dynamic offensive coordinator.
Together, they led UCO to a record-setting season, an MIAA championship for the first time in program history and a second-round Division II playoff appearance. It was the Bronchos’ first postseason win since 1998.
Dorrel, 50, signed a contract extension in December.
But he was arrested on Thursday, April 3, in Edmond, according to a court affidavit.
Edmond police responded to the area of Smiling Hill Boulevard and South Bryant Ave. shortly after 5 p.m. after a witness reported a vehicle driving erratically and hitting a curb. According to the affidavit, the officer located the vehicle parked in the roadway. He spoke with the driver, Dorrel, who “had slurred speech and had difficulty explaining where he was and why he was there.”
The officer detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle. Dorrel, whose eyes were reportedly bloodshot and watery, said he had not been drinking and that he was on medication, though he could not identify the medication, according to the affidavit. After the officer asked for identification, Dorrel was unable to locate it. Dorrel then told the officer he was “there to help people and was meditating.”
Dorrel later told the officer, “You obviously know that I’ve been drinking.” Dorrel admitted to drinking two whiskeys, according to the affidavit.
Dorrel did not consent to a field sobriety test, initially refused to exit his vehicle and was then arrested, according to the affidavit.
An Edmond police officer later found a found a coffee mug containing whiskey in Dorrel’s vehicle, according to the affidavit.
Dorrel has not been charged in Oklahoma County District Court.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: UCO football to be led by James Curlee ‘for the time being’ in 2025
