A Muskogee Rougher quarterback coach was arrested over the weekend for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Ben Bowling, 28, of Jenks was arrested at 5:25 a.m. Saturday on complaints of DUI and failure to carry insurance verification. He bonded out of Muskogee County/City Detention Facility at 12:05 p.m., jail records reflect.

Muskogee police records show Bowling was driving a 2000 Jeep Cherokee west on the Court Street overpass when he struck the north curb.

Bowling’s Jeep stayed on the curb until he lost control and rolled the vehicle onto the driver’s side in the middle of the road, according to the accident report.

School records reflect Bowling earns a $3,600 annual stipend for being a lay quarterback coach for the Roughers. He also is a substitute teacher for Muskogee Public Schools, as verified by Derryl Venters, Muskogee assistant superintendent for instruction.

Bowling at first told the Phoenix he wasn’t coaching for the Roughers, but that he had once coached in California. He said he sold insurance.

But he called back later, and when told his birth date and photo on school records and jail records matched, he said, “unfortunately” and apologized for his earlier denial.

He declined further comment upon the advice of an attorney.

MHS football coach Matt Hennesy and Athletic Director Bobby Jefferson did not return calls.

Superintendent Mike Garde was in Houston Monday and unavailable for comment, said school spokeswoman Melony Carey.

Reach Donna Hales at 918-684-2923 or Click Here to Send Email