Nov 14, 2006 4:02 pm US/Eastern
Coach Accused Of Nude Driving May Get Plea Deal
Cullen Is A Graduate Of UMass Amherst
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) ―
A Detroit Lions assistant coach arrested while police say he was driving nude and a week later on suspicion of drunken driving most likely will get a plea deal.
Joe Cullen's misdemeanor cases were adjourned until Feb. 6. Judge William Hultgren said Tuesday he could accept a plea agreement then if Cullen continues a treatment program and stays out of trouble.
"It's really important for you to be addressing the problem," Hultgren said. "You need to set a great example for the young guys who are putting their faith in your hands."
Cullen, a 1990 graduate of UMass Amherst, is free on bond and left court without comment. The defensive line coach missed Detroit's Sept. 10 home game against Seattle following the arrests, but worked the following week.
Cullen was pulled over Aug. 24 in suburban Dearborn and ticketed on suspicion of indecent and obscene conduct after police said he was driving nude. The Lions said alcohol was involved.
On Sept. 1, police stopped his sport utility vehicle and determined he had a blood-alcohol content of 0.12 percent, according to court records. The legal limit for drivers in Michigan is 0.08 percent.
Cullen was fired from the University of Mississippi in 2005 after an alcohol-related arrest at a restaurant.
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