COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin apologized to West Virginia Tuesday for the behavior of student assistant coach Michael Richardson who twice shoved WVU players on the Aggies sideline during Monday’s AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
Sumlin said after watching clips of the incident, Richardson has been “permanently dismissed from our football program.”
Sumblin’s apology covered everyone who could have been bothered by the behavior. “On behalf of the Texas A&M football program, I want to apologize to Darryl Worley and to Andrew Buie as well as to Coach Holgorsen and the West Virginia family for the inexcusable actions of the student assistant,” Sumlin said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon.
The coach also extended his regrets to his own team’s fans. “I also want to apologize to the Aggie faithful, as they deserve a program to be proud of, not only in our play, but in the integrity and respect we show on and off the field.” Sumlin said Richardson’s actions “are not representative of our program.”
Richardson, a former linebacker with the Aggies, shoved Buie as he ran out of bounds. Then later, Richardson punched Worley in the back of the helmet when he ended up on the Aggie sideline after a play.
The ESPN TV announcers initially missed the incidents, but the Twittersphere quickly blew up with video and comments, and they drew attention to them in the second half. Sumlin says he learned of the episodes at halftime and ordered Richardson to stay in the locker room for the second half. He pursued the issue after the game.
“Upon returning to College Station last night, I had the opportunity to gather information and watch clips of one our student assistant coaches initiating physical contact on two separate occasions with a West Virginia player,” Sumlin said. “I am extremely disappointed and embarrassed, as his behavior reflected poorly on the program.”
Here is the entire statement from Sumlin:
“Upon returning to College Station last night, I had the opportunity to gather information and watch clips of one of our student assistant coaches initiating physical contact on two separate occasions with a West Virginia player. I am extremely disappointed and embarrassed, as his behavior reflected poorly on our program.
“On behalf of the Texas A&M football program, I want to apologize to Darryl Worley and to Andrew Buie as well as to Coach Holgorsen and the West Virginia family for the inexcusable actions of the student assistant. I removed him from the sideline at halftime of yesterday’s game after being informed of the incidents and, after further review, have permanently dismissed him from our football program.