Tommy Tuberville says he was trying to get an assistant coach off the field when he snatched an assistant coach's headset.
According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal's Don Williams, Tuberville explained the incident with graduate assistant Kevin Oliver like so:
"He was on the field, and I reached to grab him and pull him off. When I pulled, I missed his shirt and I grabbed his (headset) and his microphone ripped off his head. I was trying to get him off the field. "He's out on the field, and we're trying to get him off. I missed his shoulder, and grabbed his ... . It wasn't anything to it."
I really don't buy that explanation. Tuberville's swipe was close to the assistant coach's shirt, but why would he be trying to take the assistant off the field? There was no rush during the delay in play. Tuberville was clearly angry about a pair of penalties on the possession, but he didn't look at all like he was hoping to take the assistant off the field. Other players who weren't on the personnel grouping sent out for the field goal were further on the field of play than the assistant.
I don't believe Tuberville's actions should result in much more than a reprimand or maybe a fine, but his explanation doesn't make sense and doesn't fit what's on video.
