Hailey
Ty Darlington, an assistant football coach at the University of Tulsa, was arrested Monday night in Jenks, Oklahoma, a suburb of Tulsa, after reportedly engaging in dangerous driving behavior and exhibiting signs of intoxication.
The incident was first reported by News9 Tulsa, prompting immediate concern from the university’s athletic department.
According to the official police report, Darlington was behind the wheel of a vehicle that nearly collided with law enforcement officers who were actively responding to a separate crash nearby.
Officers at the scene observed Darlington’s slurred speech and noted a strong smell of alcohol emanating from him. These indicators led to his arrest on charges of reckless driving and aggravated driving under the influence (DUI).
University of Tulsa Responds to Coach’s Arrest
In response to the developing situation, the University of Tulsa football program released a brief statement:
“We are aware of the situation and are still gathering all the information.”
At this time, the university has not confirmed whether disciplinary action will be taken or if Darlington will remain active in his coaching role while the legal proceedings are ongoing.
Ty Darlington’s Coaching and Playing Background
Darlington’s arrest comes just months after he joined the Tulsa Golden Hurricane coaching staff. In December, he was hired as co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach under new head coach Tre Lamb, who is leading the program in his first season.
Darlington has a rich history in college football:
- He was a standout offensive lineman at the University of Oklahoma from 2012 to 2015, where he earned academic accolades and played under legendary coach Bob Stoops.
- Following his collegiate playing career, Darlington served on Oklahoma’s coaching staff for five seasons as a graduate assistant and analyst.
- In 2022, he moved to the University of Florida as a quality control coach under Billy Napier.
- Most recently, Darlington held coaching roles at University of the Incarnate Word, where he worked as a tight ends coach in 2023 and was promoted to offensive line coach in 2024.
Legal Implications and Next Steps
Darlington now faces legal proceedings in Oklahoma, which may include fines, mandatory DUI education, probation, or possible jail time depending on the outcome.
Aggravated DUI typically refers to a higher blood alcohol content (BAC) or the presence of dangerous conditions during the offense, such as nearly hitting police officers—both of which apply in this case.
The Tulsa Police Department has not yet released footage or further details from the incident, and it remains unclear whether Darlington submitted to a field sobriety or breathalyzer test at the scene.
Potential Impact on Tulsa’s Football Program
The timing of this incident is particularly troubling for the Tulsa football team, which is currently in its offseason preparation period.
With fall practices around the corner, Darlington’s legal troubles could disrupt the team’s coaching continuity and offseason development strategy under Tre Lamb.
The university may choose to place Darlington on administrative leave or conduct an internal investigation pending the outcome of the charges.
The arrest of Ty Darlington, a rising coach with a promising trajectory, underscores the seriousness of DUI offenses—particularly when public safety is put at risk.
As the Tulsa football program continues to rebuild under a new head coach, this unexpected controversy introduces challenges both legally and within the team’s dynamic.
Further updates will depend on how the legal process unfolds and what disciplinary decisions the university makes in the coming days.