Gonzaga baseball coach arrested for DUI in Reardan

REARDAN – Gonzaga head baseball coach Mark Andrew Machtolf was arrested by Reardan Police and booked into Lincoln County Jail on a charge of driving under the influence late Thursday, June 9, according to Reardan Police Chief Andy Manke, the Lincoln County Jail roster and Reardan Police arrest reports.

Machtolf, who just completed his 19th season at the helm of the Bulldogs' diamond squad, had a blood-alcohol level as high as 0.284 at the time of booking according to tests administered at Lincoln County Jail, arresting officer Melissa Foust's arrest report stated.

The longtime coach was booked at 10:03 p.m. Thursday and held on bond of $1,000, according to the online jail roster.

8 p.m. of a blue pickup truck swerving around the roadway in Reardan. Foust spotted a vehicle matching that description park in front of the R-Store. At the same time, a separate driver waved Foust down and pointed at a man heading into the store.

When the man came out of the store and got back into his car, Foust tried to block him into his parking space, but the driver continued to back up and head north on Lake Street before finally pulling into two parking spots at SpeedTrap Tap House, the arrest report states.

Foust told the driver he was seen stumbling and apparently having difficulty walking as he exited the R-Store. She said in her arrest report that she smelled alcohol on his breath and noticed he had bloodshot and watery eyes. The man provided two insurance cards instead of registration, and a DOL check identified the man as Machtolf, according to records.

Foust began field sobriety tests, including an eye nystagmus test and walk-and-turn test. Tests were then taken over by Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deputy Jon Evans, according to police reports.

During a one-leg stand test, Machtolf couldn't balance for more than a few seconds and nearly fell, according to records. He then declined a breath test and was placed under arrest on a charge of driving under the influence.

He told Evans he had two IPA's when asked how much he'd had to drink, records state.

Once booked into jail, Machtolf eventually agreed to provide a BAC after conferring privately with a public defender. That returned as a 0.284, according to Foust's report. An hour later, another breath sample was still three times over the legal limit, according to records.

Machtolf posted bond Friday morning after appearing in District Court and was scheduled to next appear Thursday, July 14, according to District Court staff.

Gonzaga athletic director Chris Standiford released the following statement late Friday morning:

“We are aware of the reports out of Lincoln County on Coach Machtolf’s arrest for suspicion of DUI Thursday night. We recognize the serious nature of the charge. As a Gonzaga employee, we respect Coach Machtolf’s right to privacy and will refrain from further comment at this time.”

Machtolf wasn’t the first Gonzaga head coach in the past year to be cited on a DUI charge. Head men’s basketball coach Mark Few pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in October and was suspended for the team’s season opening game in November.