Atlanta Hawks head coach charged with DUI

ATLANTA — New Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer was arrested on charges of driving under the influence Wednesday night.

A trooper stopped Budenholzer for having no tail lights on his Audi A8 while driving on Crescent Avenue around 10:30 p.m., according to the State Patrol.

According to the incident report, the trooper detected an odor of alcohol, administered a field sobriety test, then placed Budenholzer under arrest.

The trooper wrote in the incident report that Budenholzer had bloodshot eyes and said he had one glass of wine.

Budenholzer refused a breath test, a State Patrol spokesman said.

Budenholzer, 44, was booked into the Atlanta City Jail on charges of DUI and a tail light violation. He was released on $1,524 bond at 3:45 a.m. Thursday.

Budenholzer's attorney, Michael Hawkins, issued a statement Thursday morning. He said Budenholzer was arrested immediately after asking to consult with an attorney before submitting to a breathalyzer test.

Hawkins said Budenholzer volunteered to take a breathalyzer and a blood test after he consulted with an attorney by phone at the jail, but he was refused.

"Immediately upon his release on bond, Coach Budenholzer went directly to Piedmont Hospital where his blood was tested at the earliest opportunity, albeit several hours after his arrest," Hawkins said. "The official report from the hospital blood test revealed that his blood alcohol concentration was less than .01, well below the legal limit of .08."

Budenholzer was hired as the Hawks' head coach in May after spending 17 years as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs.

"I take my role as a leader very seriously and hold myself to a high standard. I apologize to the fans and to the Hawks organization for any negative attention this incident has brought upon my family and the organization while the legal process evolves and I contest these misdemeanor charges," said Budenholzer via the statement released by Hawkins.

Hawks General Manager Danny Ferry issued the following statement Thursday morning. "Bud made us aware of the situation last night. We are in the process of gathering more information and will have further comment at the appropriate time."

WSBTV