Cleveland Browns offensive line coach Andy Moeller has been suspended indefinitely after being "involved in an incident," the team announced on Monday. Details of the incident and allegations were vague, but eventually it was reported that Moeller is being investigated for allegedly assaulting a female guest at his home, via Pat McManamon of ESPN.
Browns OL coach Andy Moeller suspended, is under investigation for alleged assault
Moeller had a history of alcohol-related arrests prior to joining the Cleveland Browns.
Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
A woman called Berea, Ohio police alleging Moeller had assaulted her, but by the time police arrived they were unsure about pressing charges:
Victim was transported to a hotel at her request. Called police again, said there was an injury, wished to pursue charges, then decided not
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 8, 2015 The woman, later revealed to be Moeller’s former fiancee, told the 911 operator that he tried to “strangle me and beat me up.” She further claimed that Moeller told her to “shut up” while she was engaged in a phone conversation with her son. Cleveland.com has acquired the full audio of the 911 call.
“I hate to do this to him, but you know what, I’m glad I made it out of there in time,” the woman, who identified herself as “Sandy,” told the 911 dispatcher. She also claimed the Moeller had been drinking beer and that he had been violent before.
The woman was a guest of Moeller’s, according to the report. Police were required to file a report, which was presented to the city’s prosecutor, who will make the ultimate decision on whether to file charges.
Because the alleged assault was not of a live-in partner of spouse, it was not classified as a domestic assault, according to the report. It is expected that more information will be available from the police on Tuesday.
“Over the weekend, Andy was involved in an incident, involving allegations that we take very seriously,” the Browns announced in a press release. “We have followed our internal protocol, determining that right now it is best for the team and for Andy to take time away from the organization to focus on his personal matters. We are going to respect the process of investigation on this personal matter and will have no further comment at this time.”
Moeller received a two-game suspension and $47,000 fine in 2011 when he was the offensive line coach of the Baltimore Ravens after he was arrested for driving while intoxicated. At the time it was Moeller's third alcohol-related arrest in four years and he was "given probation and other requirements related to abstaining from alcohol," according to ESPN.
Browns head coach Mike Pettine addressed the media on Monday shortly after the suspension was announced and while he didn’t provide any further details of the incident, he said that assistant offensive line coach George DeLeone will serve as the replacement and former Florida Gators offensive line coach Kurt Roper will assist after joining the team in the offseason as a senior offensive assistant.
Moeller is the son of former Illinois, Michigan and Detroit Lions head coach Gary Moeller, who resigned from his position at Michigan in 1995 after a drunken outburst resulted in an arrest on charges of assault and battery and disorderly conduct.
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