Vanderbilt defensive line coach Vavae Tata charged with DUI, suspended indefinitely (Update)
Update (3:45 p.m.) - In a statement released by Vanderbilt athletics, it was announced that Tata has been suspended indefinitely.
The statement, in full, reads:
Based upon information received Tuesday, Vanderbilt assistant coach Vavae Tata has been suspended indefinitely by Head Football Coach Derek Mason stemming from an incident that occurred Feb. 16 in Nashville. Vanderbilt University will continue its investigation into the matter.
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A member of Derek Mason’s new staff at Vanderbilt is facing some legal trouble, and the details are pretty messy.
Defensive line coach Vavae Tata has been charged with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, The Tennessean is reporting. Tata was arrested Sunday in Nashville and reportedly blew a .18 percent on a Breathalyzer, which is more than twice the legal limit (.08) in the state of Tennessee.
According to a Davidson County police report, Tata “struck two parked vehicles” then “fled the scene on foot in attempt to avoid police.”
After a pursuit, he was located “several blocks away” and admitted to operating the vehicle. According to police, Tata “smelled of alcohol, was unsteady on his feet and had bloodshot and watery eyes.”
Tata was introduced as a new member of the Vandy staff last month after spending two seasons as a defensive assistant with Mason at Stanford. Prior to joining the staff at Stanford, Tata spent time as a defensive assistant at San Jose State and UCLA, his alma mater.
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