Football coach suspended following DUI charge

SAVANNAH, MO — Savannah Head Football Coach Chad Smith has been indefinitely suspended from coaching but remains on duty as a physical education teacher following news of his arrest on DUI charges on Aug. 4, 2012. The arrest was made by the Platte County Sheriff’s Department and bond was posted that same day. On Sept. 19, 2012, Smith pled not guilty to the charges and requested a continuance of proceedings which was granted until Nov. 7, 2012, by Judge Dennis Eckold. The incident was kept quiet during the first few weeks of the football season but word spread throughout the Savannah community after some students made vague references about the incident on social media. The local newspaper, The Savannah Reporter, broke the news by reporting the arrest. Smith appeared on local television and has indicated he now requests to move the court date up and that he is prepared to plead guilty to the DUI charge. Bryson Byergo is serving as interim coach for the Savannah high school football team.