RRHS football coach arrested for DWI

By Gary Herron
sports editor
Published on Monday, April 13, 2009 9:56 AM MDT

Rio Rancho High School football coach Mike Worley was arrested and charged with aggravated DWI and failure to maintain a lane last Thursday evening in Rio Rancho.

According to Rio Rancho patrolman Jeff Chavez, who initially heard of an erratic driver on High Resort Blvd. from a telephone call by a concerned motorist, Worley’s pickup blew a tire after striking a curb at Lasso Way.

After that, Worley “continued to travel westbound on High Resort, eventually making a right turn onto Lowell Way and coming to final rest on Cascade Trail road,” Chavez’s report continued. “The driver than exited the vehicle and attempted to change his vehicle tire. Officer (Joe) Holt arrived when I did and took over DWI investigation …”

MIKE WORLEY

Holt’s report noted that Worley, 42, had a “very strong odor of intoxicating beverage coming from his face area, even in a moderate wind. I noticed bloodshot, watery eyes and he told me he had some vodka that morning.”

Worley submitted to a field sobriety test, which he failed, and was placed under arrest and charged with DWI.

Later, after taking a breathalyzer test, Worley’s blood-alcohol level was said by Holt to be “at or above twice the legal limit.”

Worley was later transported to the Sandoval County Detention Center, where he was booked on aggravated DWI and failure to maintain lanes. His bond was $1,115.

The Rams went 5-5 in 2007, Worley’s first season as head coach, qualifying for the 5A playoffs as the District 1-5A runner-up. Rio Rancho went on to win its first postseason game in history, 28-21, at Hobbs before being eliminated from the playoffs at Mayfield in a quarterfinal game, 57-16.

Last year, the Rams won the district championship and proceeded to win their first home playoff game, 43-20, over Highland before being eliminated again in the quarterfinals, this time by Eldorado, 34-0.

The Rams open the 2009 football season Aug. 28 at Hobbs.

The Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education is slated to meet in executive session this evening before its regularly scheduled meeting and will undoubtedly discuss the incident and possible repercussions for Worley.

 

Copyright © 2010 Rio Rancho Observer

Comments

WRITE A COMMENT

Use the form below to post a brief comment to this story, or respond to other readers. Please use the word count tool to assist you in keeping your remarks to 100 words or fewer.

Comments must be approved by an editor before appearing on the Web site. Editors review submitted comments periodically during the day for offensive or off-topic content before posting. Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.

Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of the Rio Rancho Observer.

you-know wrote on Apr 15, 2009 1:20 AM:

" who cares... everyone is entitled to one... "

Confused wrote on Apr 15, 2009 8:13 AM:

" I hope they don't fire coach Worley. It will be a double standard. The district has hired other coaches with issues similar to this in their past. "

Joel Holt wrote on Apr 15, 2009 9:23 PM:

" Yeah it's Joel, not Joe..... "

Ex RR Resident wrote on Apr 16, 2009 5:28 AM:

" you-know" wrote "who cares... everyone is entitled to one... "
And just how many do you have? "

mark wrote on Apr 16, 2009 7:09 AM:

" what do you mean "who cares" everyone is entitled to one...tell that to the person/family that lost a love one due to a drunk driver...what kind of example is he setting for our students...DRUNK DRIVING IS A CHOICE! "

drunk wrote on Apr 16, 2009 10:01 AM:

" yeah, everyone is entitled to one when they are in college or high school. worley needs to grow up and get help. he's too old for that stuff "

JH wrote on Apr 16, 2009 3:42 PM:

" First of all, sorry - No one gets a freebe. Not young people, not sick people, not cops, not famous people. Drunk driving is a serious crime that has no excuse. And second, to the person who thinks everyone should get one, as the cop who gets to hunt drunks all night, what do you drive? :) "

good wrote on Apr 16, 2009 3:43 PM:

" Teachers like this the kids don't need. This is the role model for our kids. Get real "

Trish wrote on Apr 16, 2009 7:04 PM:

" Really now ... paid leave? Are you serious? One would think with all that the city and state does to inform us that driving while intoxicated is WRONG and highly irresponsible and NEVER should be done an ADULT.... WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE and lead by example!

RRPS's SHOULD not be paying him anything.. You are the weakest link "GOOD BYE" "

Monkey Nut wrote on Apr 17, 2009 11:43 AM:

" There are NO mistakes; just things you do and things you don't do. Coach Worley made a decision to drive drunk! "

fedupofit wrote on Apr 17, 2009 4:34 PM:

" THE GUY DESERVES ALL HE GETS AND MORE....HE SHOULD NOT BE GETTING PAID....FOLKS NEED TO START 'GETTING REAL' WITH THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES...HE NEEDS THE SACK. HE PRO.BABLY PROMOTES BAD BEHAVIOR FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN OF THE STUDENTS WHO DO SPORT AT THAT SCHOOL "

Concerned Parent wrote on Apr 18, 2009 10:44 AM:

" Payed leave wrong!! In the article the coach stated that he had some vodka that morning and was arrested at six pm. He should get help for this addiction. He should not be the one to talk to our kids in his class or on the football team about these issues and for a coach that hands out punishment to team members this can't work. How will the kids look up to this role model? I am sorry, but we need to send a message that you will be fired. "

John Smith wrote on Apr 19, 2009 10:50 AM:

" I feel he deserves another chance under some type of probation. He is a good guy who made a bad mistake..If we get rid of Worley then we need to get rid of others in our district..Start with Scott Affrentranger for abusing his wife and had dated a counselor at school who was married and husband came after him at the mid high which put school on lock-down..The school also had Jim Smelcer hired and employed here for years with sexual assualt charges against a teenage girl in Colorado..We have a girls basketball coach currently still employed after his DUI.. "

steven wrote on Apr 19, 2009 5:49 PM:

" Please hold someone accountable. Public school teachers, whether like it or not, are roll models. With counseling and help he couild be good teacher again. Coaching should be out. "

RR resident wrote on Apr 20, 2009 6:14 AM:

" There is such a thing as a mistake, we are all human. Folks should not cast stones when they live in Glass houses....

I have never had a DWI, have I ever operated under the influence, yes. I don't anymore, but when i was in my twenties it happened more than a few times.

He is a fine football coach, its his first DWI and he has not been convicted yet. He is human,it happens. "

Brooke Chaffee-Zayas wrote on Apr 21, 2009 12:48 PM:

" Sorry John Smith, I totally disagree with your comment. Mr. Affentranger is a great principal, one that most of us cannot wait to work for next year at Cleveland High School. Its truly unfortunate that Rio Rancho maintains venues such as these for people to make false accusations regarding private, family issues. Our job as educators is to help shape students for their future. You are certainly not a gleaming example of moral fortitude. "

J Van Hook wrote on Apr 21, 2009 2:21 PM:

" John Smith you are fortunate that this is an anonymous comment because the lies you told about Scott Affentranger is downright slander. How dare you try to tarnish the reputation of a devoted and talenred educator. You clearly do not know a thing about which you speak. "

Bulldog wrote on Apr 21, 2009 2:46 PM:

" One of the best coaches and mentors ever!! If the people in RR cant recognize then he would be gladly accepted back in Artesia were NM Football is put on the map. "

student wrote on Apr 27, 2009 7:54 AM:

" Ok this whole thing went from Mr. Worley to all the other crap about other teachers. Lets focus on whats going on now and not about the past. Be smart about this. Mr. Worley is a great teacher and from what I've heard a good coach. Yeah he messed up big time but, yes everyone does deserve a second chance. As stated we all make mistakes, its only human. Yes he could have avoided this by a long shot but we dont know what was really going on with him that day. not using that as an excuse but honestly...continued "

student wrote on Apr 27, 2009 7:56 AM:

" Continued... you cant say that he has an addiction if you dont know what really happened or even know Mr. Worley outside of the school or football games. You cannot assume anything like that. So my opinion is to obviously give him another chance because coming from one of his classes i know he is a good teacher and now that he is gone the class sucks and isn't even worth going to... TRUE STORY "

student001 wrote on Apr 27, 2009 7:58 AM:

" caoch worley is a great teacher and deserves another chance. yea he messed up but that doesnt make him a bad role model you really think kids are going to look at this and say, "oh he drove drunk so its ok", no were not stupid. and its not like he doesnt come to work and drink all day instead, he's in class and does his job and like student said his class sucks without him. "

lala wrote on Apr 27, 2009 1:26 PM:

" Ya Worley did make a stupid choie and no it wasn't right but people make mistakes so dnt act like all you that hate on him dont "

Former RRHS Student of 1999 wrote on Apr 30, 2009 3:17 PM:

" I think his punishment is fair and more importantly this punishment WILL affect the students, and that's a good thing. What better way for kids to learn what impact DWI has on your own life and the lives of those around you then to see their head coach fired for it. If he had been given a break, that's a lesson to kids that "people make mistakes" which isn't an excuse. They are lucky they aren't attending his funeral. 10years ago Karen Ferriera a RRHS student was killed by a DWI, who would have stuck up for him then? "

You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.

Registered users sign in here:

Become a Registered User
Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
 

Do not use usernames or passwords from your financial accounts!

Note: Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required!

Create a Member ID:
*Choose a password:
*Re-enter password:
E-mail Address:
Year of Birth:
 

(children under 13 cannot register)

First Name:
Last Name:
Company:
Home Phone:
Business Phone:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
 

Classifieds

  • View All Ads
  •  
  • Place a classified ad online!
  •  
  •  
  • Call: (505) 892-8080
  •  
  • Fax: (505) 892-5719
  •  
  • Write: P.O. Box 15878, Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87174

Jobs

View All Jobs

Homes

View All Homes

Autos

View All Autos


WEATHER FOR
RIO RANCHO, N.M.