JONESBORO — Two days after Gus Malzahn declined to address his weekend dismissal of Michael Dyer, the first-year Arkansas State football coach used a five-minute prepared statement to “clear the air.”
Speaking publicly about Dyer for the first time since a brief statement he released Sunday night to announce Dyer had been kicked off the team for “violating team rules,” Malzahn said Wednesday that he told Dyer he had been kicked off the team Saturday after “discovering new facts” regarding Dyer’s March 10 traffic stop in White County.
Malzahn, who declined to comment after participating in a Little Rock golf tournament Monday, said Robert Speer of the Arkansas State Police told him a few days after the March stop that Dyer had been given a speeding ticket, but that there was also marijuana and a gun in the car.
Malzahn said he was told Speer had served in a security role for the ASU coaching staff last season.
“Mike admitted to having a gun in the trunk of his vehicle, but adamantly denied being in possession of any drugs,” Malzahn said. “Obviously, I don’t condone my players carrying weapons. But Mike informed me that the gun was registered and in the trunk. Therefore, it was my understanding, that no laws were broken.
“Because Dyer was only issued a citation for speeding, and because there was no evidence of drug use, no citation issued for drug possession, I decided to handle the matter internally.”
But everything changed Friday when Malzahn said he learned of the nearly 59-minute video that the state police had of the stop, during which Dyer can be heard talking to a state trooper about suspected marijuana in the car.
Malzahn said the state police told the university’s media relations department about the video. The media relations department then contacted Malzahn, who said he watched the video, contacted “university administration” and then Dyer.
A day later, Dyer, who had yet to play a game for ASU after transferring from Auburn in January, was kicked off the team.
“The new evidence gave me strong reason to believe that there were drugs involved despite the adamant denials,” Malzahn said.
Arkansas State Athletic Director Dean Lee said there were no extra rules placed on Dyer when he landed at ASU in January. Dyer left Auburn after two seasons, but he missed his last game with the Tigers while serving a suspension by Coach Gene Chizik for violating team rules.
Lee also said he was not aware of the March stop until Friday, more than four months after it occurred.
“You want to be aware of all those types of incidents,” Lee said. “Specifically if it’s a situation that could hit headlines, you like to be aware ahead of time.”
Malzahn added he never spoke to state trooper Royce Denney, who stopped Dyerand whose actions during that stop were the subject of a state police investigation. Denney can be heard on the tape of the stop saying that he could keep the gun found in Dyer’s trunk and “let Coachmake the decision for me.”
Malzahn said he never saw the gun.
“I don’t know the officer that pulled over Mike that’s on the video,” Malzahn said. “To my knowledge, I’ve never met this officer and have had no contacts with the officer since the incident occurred in March.”
Dyer’s arrival in Jonesboro was met with excitement having come less than a month after Malzahn took over as head coach. Malzahn helped recruit Dyer to Auburn and, as his offensive coordinator, helped him turn into an All-SEC running back.
Dyer’s 1,093 yards broke Bo Jackson’s freshman rushing record at Auburn, and he was named offensive MVP in Auburn’s victory over Oregon in the 2010 BCS Championship Game. He rushed for 1,242 yards and 10 touchdowns last year but missed Auburn’s Chick-fil-A Bowl victory over Virginia while suspended.
Dyer went through spring practice with the Red Wolves before learning in July that an application filed by ASU with the NCAA for his immediate eligibility was denied. On July 20, he announced, despite rumors of his transfer, that he was committed to staying at ASU for his remaining two years of eligibility.
Malzahn said he’s not sure where Dyer will head now.
“But I will tell you this: Mike Dyer has a very good heart,” Malzahn said. “He’s made some bad decisions. I care deeply for him. And I wish him nothing but the best in the future and I’m very sorry it didn’t work out here.”
Malzahn also said Wednesday that Ronnel Wright, who the state police said was driving the othercar stopped by Denney on March 10, has been suspended indefinitely. Wright is a senior defensive lineman for the Red Wolves who played in 13 games last year, making eight tackles.
Sports, Pages 17 on 08/02/2012