QuickTake:

The university, in a statement, provided no details about any possible disciplinary action taken against running backs coach, Ra’Shaad Samples.

A University of Oregon assistant football coach has been charged with DUII and reckless driving after a parking lot collision early on the morning of April 12, a Eugene police spokesperson said.

Ra’Shaad Darnell Samples, a member of the Ducks coaching staff since April 2024, is set to appear July 20 in Eugene Municipal Court on the charges, both misdemeanors.

The collision reportedly took place when a Ford F-150 backed into a Dodge Ram, police spokesperson Melinda McLaughlin said in an email. A collision report from Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services, released by police, states the Dodge Ram was parked, and that the collision took place on Willamette Street, within 20 feet of Broadway Avenue.

“The driver of the Dodge followed the driver of the Ford, 31-year-old [Samples], and flagged him over,” McLaughlin said. “They both stopped at W. 7th Avenue near the Hult Center and exchanged information.” The location given by McLaughlin is about two blocks from where the collision took place.

Police responded to the downtown location at 1:43 a.m., where an officer spoke with both drivers. After an investigation, police issued a citation to Samples in place of having him booked into Lane County Jail.

McLaughlin described such a citation as being the same as an arrest.

“The person has a mandatory court appearance with the same judicial outcomes as if they had gone to jail. It is not uncommon for someone to get a citation in lieu of custody for a DUII case,” McLaughlin said.

The DMV report lists Samples as being suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Speaking generally, McLaughlin explained that if an officer has what’s known as probable cause to suspect a driver of DUII, “the person is arrested and transported to EPD headquarters, jail, or other location to complete the investigation (breathalyzer, drug recognition expert, etc.).”

If cited in place of being transported to jail, “they are not allowed to drive,” McLaughlin said. “They need to have a sober ride from friend, family, rideshare, taxi, etc.”

Samples’ 17-page employment agreement includes a section titled “Ethical Responsibilities,” which states Samples agrees to “represent University in an honorable and ethical manner at all times.”

“Standards for the ethical conduct of Department staff are established and enforced by the athletic director, University, Big Ten and the NCAA,” the contract states.

Samples is in the first year of a two-year contract as a running backs coach, and his annual compensation is listed as $825,000, not including any possible bonus payments.

“We take these matters seriously, and we have handled internally,” an Oregon athletics spokesperson told Lookout in a statement. “We have no further comment.”

Bryan Boender, an attorney representing Samples, declined to comment Tuesday.

Correspondent Tyson Alger contributed to this report.