CU Board of Regents likely to discuss handling of Tumpkin's case

BOULDER, Colo. -- The top leaders of the University of Colorado will meet Monday to discuss a "personnel matter" likely related to the handling of accusations of domestic violence against a former assistant football coach. The big question: did the head football coach or athletic director violate any policies in reporting the alleged abuse? 

A CU spokesperson would not confirm the closed door meeting was specifically about former football coach Joe Tumpkin, according to the Boulder Daily Camera. But this meeting does coincide with the expected release of results of a private law firm's investigation into this case. 

Tumpkin was a defensive coach at CU Boulder until January, when he was asked to resign. He was charged with assault on an ex-girlfriend shortly after. 

According to a Sports Illustrated article, Tumpkin's ex-girlfriend claims she spoke to CU Head Coach Mike MacIntyre about the domestic abuse, yet there was no response or action taken for a month. 

The university responded to the article, originally published in early February, saying that they had been made aware of the accusations, but according to a statement from Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano, "At that time, we believed that it was premature to take personnel action because there was no restraining order, criminal charges, civil action or other documentation of the allegation."

Tumpkin usually coached safeties for the Buffs, and ran the team's defense during the Alamo Bowl after the team's defensive coordinator took another job. 

January 6 - Boulder Daily Camera broke the story that a woman had been granted a restraining order against Tumpkin in December.

January 10 - Tumpkin was suspended indefinitely

January 31 - Tumpkin resigns, he is charged with five counts of felony second-degree assaultand three counts of misdemeanor third-degree assault

What remains to become clear is when coach MacIntyre and the school's athletic director became aware of the alleged abuse, and if they followed the rules in reporting it. 

Private attorneys Gina Maisto Smith and Leslie Gomez were hired by CU to investigate the reporting of the accusations. The two also led the investigation at Baylor University over reporting sexual assaults, which ultimately led to the firing of the university's president. Their results are expected to be released soon.