Police: Radford basketball coach arrested for DUI had .25 blood alcohol level

RADFORD, Va. (WDBJ) - The head coach of the Radford University men’s basketball team has been released from the New River Valley Regional Jail after being arrested Sunday.

Jail officials confirm Darris Nichols was arrested late the night of February 19, 2023 for DUI in Radford, and released early the next morning on a $3500 unsecured bond.

A Radford Police report obtained by WDBJ7 indicates Nichols initially refused field sobriety tests, and after being arrested, blew a blood alcohol level of .25. Virginia’s legal limit is .08.

A statement from the university reads, “Radford University is currently evaluating the situation. Shane Nichols will serve as acting head coach. This is a personnel matter, and we have no further comment at this time.” Shane Nichols is Darris Nichols’s brother and is listed on the staff directory as an assistant coach.

A statement from Radford Athletics pic.twitter.com/I9ZPqGdnua
— Radford Athletics (@ru_athletics) February 21, 2023

Nichols is in his second year as Radford head coach. Previously, the Radford native was assistant coach at the University of Florida for six seasons, according to the university’s website.