Former Colorado Safeties Coach Joe Tumpkin Charged with Assault

One week after resigning his post as an assistant coach at Colorado, Joe Tumpkin was charged with felony assault. 

According to a police report obtained by Mark Belcher of Denver7 News on Jan. 31, Tumpkin allegedly strangled an ex-girlfriend and used his hands as a "deadly weapon" in multiple incidents. He is charged with five counts of felony second-degree assault and three counts of misdemeanor third-degree assault.

Colorado had previously suspended Tumpkin after the ex-girlfriend filed for a restraining order, citing incidents of abuse between Feb. 27, 2015, and Nov. 20, 2016. Police launched a subsequent investigation, and university officials asked for his resignation.

Tumpkin announced he would be stepping down, effective Jan. 30. 

On Feb. 9, Buffaloes head coach Mike MacIntyre released a statement regarding Tumpkin:

"

I would like to clarify the following reported statements:

There were two separate conversations. The first was her report to me of the abuse. In the second conversation, I communicated to her that I reported it. 

Tumpkin was made the play caller for the bowl game because, at the time of the decision, there was no police report or legal complaint. This decision was approved by my superiors.

I want to be clear I unequivocally endorse the chancellor’s plans for improving CU’s policies and practices in dealing with matters of domestic violence and pledge that I and the entire football coaching staff will work to carry out our obligations under university policy.

"

“Joe is currently defending himself against allegations made in court records that do not represent our values,” athletic director Rick George said in a statement, per USA Today on Jan. 27. “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.”

The woman alleged Tumpkin became increasingly violent over the course of their relationship, specifically after the 45-year-old joined Colorado's coaching staff. A former defensive coordinator at Central Michigan, Tumpkin joined MacIntyre's staff in 2015 as a safeties coach.

According to an account of the relationship obtained by Mitchell Byars of BuffZone.com, Tumpkin "would sometimes also choke and bite her and would threaten to kill men she expressed interest in." Tumpkin allegedly became intoxicated and choked the woman on two occasions during the weekend of Colorado's Nov. 19 game against Washington State.