With domestic violence charges expected to come down any day, the Colorado Buffaloes are parting ways with assistant football coach Joe Tumpkin.
On Friday, University of Colorado Athletics Director Rick George announced that Tumpkin has submitted his resignation, effective Jan. 31, after being asked to do so by the school.
“Joe is currently defending himself against allegations made in court records that do not represent our values,” George said in a statement. “Furthermore, we need to move forward to ensure we do not have gaps in our coaching staff as we build the team and sign new recruits.”
In December, an ex-girlfriend of Tumpkin filed a complaint against him, alleging that he physically assaulted her on multiple occasions. After obtaining a temporary restraining order at that time, she was granted a permanent one on Wednesday.
Upon learning of the restraining order, CU suspended Tumpkin earlier this month. Now, with a criminal investigation open against him in Broomfield, Colo., the school has severed the relationship completely; delivering a strong statement that even allegations of such behavior will not be tolerated.
According to the complaint, Tumpkin is alleged to have, amongst other things, thrown the woman against a wall, dragged her by her hair and chocked her; abusing her on several occasions, from Feb. 2015 to Nov. 2016.
For severance, CU will pay Tumpkin $34,000. The 45-year-old will also be paid for his vacation time, totalling $29,607 and receive a one-time payment of $15,692 for the team’s appearance in the Alamo Bowl.
Working with the safeties, Tumpkin was an assistant at CU for each of the last two seasons. He assumed the defensive playcalling for the Buffs during the Alamo Bowl, after Jim Leavitt left for the University of Oregon.
