Gonzaga men's basketball coach Mark Few suspended to start season after DWI

The Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team will be without its coach to start the 2021-22 season.

Gonzaga suspended Mark Few in the wake of his driving under the influence citation over Labor Day weekend. Few will miss Saturday's kickoff celebration "Kraziness in the Kennel," two exhibition games and the season opener against Dixie State at home on Nov. 9. The Athletic first reported his upcoming absences, and Few confirmed the news with a statement through Gonzaga athletics.

Few will return to the bench for the Bulldogs' game against the Texas Longhorns on Nov. 13.

"I again offer my sincere apology and I remain committed to learning from this mistake," he said in his statement.

On Sept. 6, according to a report from the Coeur d'Alene (Idaho) Police Department, Few was cited for driving under the influence following a traffic stop. Authorities received a report that he was driving erratically and speeding and Few “exhibited several signs of intoxication.” He refused to complete field sobriety tests, per the report, and his breath samples registered .119 and .120 blood-alcohol-content level.

"I believe as a leader and role model, I am expected to set only the best example," Few said in a statement the next day. "The decisions I made yesterday do not exemplify this standard and for that, I sincerely apologize to you all. I recognize that operating a motor vehicle after consuming any amount of alcohol exhibits poor judgment."

Few and the Bulldogs are coming off a trip to the national championship game, falling to the Baylor Bears, as the No. 1 seed in the tournament. Gonzaga has never missed the NCAA tournament during his tenure and the 58-year-old is entering his 23rd year on the Bulldogs' bench (630-124 record).

Contributing: Erick Smith, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gonzaga coach Mark Few suspended to start season after DUI