TCU football is all too familiar with the effect drugs can have on a program after three Horned Frog defensive starters were a part of a drug bust back in February.
TCU quarterback Casey Pachall admits to failing a drug test, using cocaine and ecstasy
As it turns out, junior quarterback Casey Pachall, who was roommates with one of the four TCU players arrested, admitted to police during the bust that he had failed a drug test a few days after smoking marijuana. He also admitted to using cocaine and ecstasy within the last year. Police didn't charge Pachall.
Pachall admitted his prior drug use to police during the drug sweep, and the information was made available through an open records request and originally reported by TCU 360.
Head coach Gary Patterson knew about the failed test, but Pachall still attended Big 12 Media Day with his coach, so it seems safe to assume that he won’t be removed from the team.
More after the jump.
This is an interesting development and one that will follow Pachall whenever he decides to enter the NFL Draft. The 6-4, 225-pound quarterback arguably has more pro potentially than his predecessor Andy Dalton. He has great size and ideal arm strength for the position, not to mention the production he put up in his first year as the starter.
But based on coach Patterson’s claims after three of his defensive starters were kicked out of school, letting Pachall skate by on this may seem inconsistent to some.
“Under my watch, drugs and drug use by TCU’s student-athletes will not be tolerated by me or any member of my coaching staff,” Patterson said. “Period. Our program is respected nationally for its strong ethics and for that reason the players arrested today were separated from TCU by the University. I believe strongly that young people’s lives are more important than wins or losses.”
If drug use won’t be tolerated, and Pachall has a failed drug test for marijuana and admitted cocaine and ecstasy use, why then has no disciplinary action been taken? After all, Patterson claims he knew about the failed test.
Well, apparently, Patterson tested Pachall six times since the failed test, and the quarterback passed each and every one of them. This is nowhere near the magnitude of the February drug bust. In fact, TCU is playing this by the books, as one failed drug test does not require any serious disciplinary action from the school, just counseling.
At this time, I wouldn’t bet on a suspension.
See More:
