BOULDER – Colorado Buffaloes safeties coach Joe Tumpkin has been charged on multiple counts. The charges, which stem from Tumpkin’s allegedly abusive relationship with an ex-girlfriend while employed at the University, were filed on Monday. The charges tally five felonies and three misdemeanors, which are five counts of second-degree assault (a class four felony) and three counts of third-degree assault (a class one misdemeanor.)
The charges state that the events took place between February 2015 and November 2016, and allege that he used his hands as a deadly weapon, caused bodily injury and strangled his ex-girlfriend.
The Daily Camera reported in January that Tumpkin was the subject of a domestic violence complaint made by his ex-girlfriend. Their relationship spanned three years and the report revealed that she claimed that he physically assaulted her multiple times over the course of the relationship, including the nights around Colorado football games. This is what resulted in protection order which was made permanent late last week.
BSN Denver was first to report that Tumpkin and Colorado parted ways late last week, following the signing of the permanent protection order.
Bond has not been set as of yet. The case will be handled by the 17th district of Colorado.
Some of the key testimony from ex-girlfriend on the protection order are below:
The document read in full here
Tumpkin, 45, had been the safeties coach at CU for the past two seasons and was the play caller for the defense at the Alamo Bowl following Jim Leavitt’s departure for the defensive coordinator position at Oregon.
Tumpkin coached more than 140 games at the division one level and was previously the defensive coordinator at Central Michigan.
The university’s statement from Friday is below
University of Colorado Athletics Director Rick George announced today that assistant football coach Joe Tumpkin has submitted his resignation, effective Jan. 31, after being asked to do so by CU Athletics.
Tumpkin, 45, had been with the team since early 2015 as the safeties coach. On Jan. 6, 2017, George and Coach Mike MacIntyre learned that a judge had issued a temporary restraining order against Tumpkin at the request of his ex-girlfriend. George and MacIntyre immediately placed Tumpkin on administrative leave from the coaching staff and CU Boulder.
“Joe is currently defending himself against allegations made in court records that do not represent our values,” George said. “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 consideration for his resignation, Tumpkin will receive two months of severance pay, which equals $34,000.
As is standard practice for all employees who leave the university, he will receive a payout for unused vacation time totaling $29,607. His final paycheck will also include the one-time payment of $15,692, which is consistent with other coaching staff under the campus’ Postseason Compensation Policy related to bowl game appearances.
MacIntyre is moving quickly to hire a new assistant coach as the football team prepares for the start of spring practices on Feb. 22, followed by the March 18 Spring Game.
