Update: East Central High School football coach suspended after being arrested, DUI alleged

Former Jenks high school and Oklahoma State quarterback Ben Bowling has been suspended with pay from his position as head football coach at East Central high school.  Bowling was arrested for DUI after police found him asleep in his car in the drive through at a What-A-Burger restaurant just after 3:00 a.m. Sunday.

Police reports indicate Bowling’s blood alcohol level was .203, that’s two and a half times the legal limit in Oklahoma. KRMG reached TPS Superintendant Dr. Keith Ballard for an exclusive interview. "We just felt it was in the best interest to go ahead and suspend him with pay" Dr. Ballard told me. TPS has struggled in the last few years with issues in athletics but Ballard says this case will be handled on an individual basis. "There are certain factors that come along with each decision you have to make" he began. "So I wouldn't say that because there have been issues in the athletic department it made this any more difficult, it's pretty difficult on it's own."

Click here to listen as Dr. Ballard talks about the situation.

FBowling was elevated to the head coaching position at East Central in February, taking over for Travis Hill who resigned during an investigation.

It’s been a tough year for Tulsa Public Schools athletics.

There were problems with ineligible players at Tulsa Booker T. Washington High School and the scandal involving former athletic director Stephanie Springs and her staff.

Add the Travis Hill situation and now the case with Bowling and things continue to be difficult for TPS.

Bowling led Jenks High School to state titles in 1997 and 1998 before signing with Oklahoma State University and Northern Arizona for his college football.

Ben then played Arena football for the Tulsa Talons before finishing his playing career.

Bowling was hired as an assistant coach at Muskogee High School where he was arrested for DUI in 2008 before he became an assistant at East Central.