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Andy Moeller Suspended: Browns Coach Investigated For Assault On Unnamed Woman

By Toni Matthews
Published on: 02:35 PST, Sep 8, 2015

Offensive line coach Andy Moeller won’t be working with the Cleveland Browns as the NFL regular season begins. Instead, he’s been suspended indefinitely by the team. An official statement was made by the Browns on Monday, shared via their official website.

“Browns offensive line coach Andy Moeller has been suspended indefinitely by the team effective immediately. Over the weekend, Andy was involved in an incident, involving allegations that we take very seriously.

We have followed our internal protocol, determining that right now it is best for the team and for Andy to take time away from the organization to focus on his personal matters. We are going to respect the process of investigation on this personal matter and will have no further comment at this time.”

The announcement doesn’t mean that Andy has lost his job — it means that while his personal matter is ongoing, he will be a non-factor for the Cleveland Browns.

Meanwhile, the incident the franchise is referring to could have serious implications for Moeller.

According to a report by ESPN.com, the OL coach is the subject of a criminal investigation. A woman from Berea, Ohio called the police over Labor Day weekend and complained that Moeller assaulted her. After officers responded to the complaint, the unnamed woman suddenly experienced a change of heart. She was no longer willing to press charges against Moeller.

Despite her reluctance, the police officers were obligated to report the incident. The information was presented to the city prosecutor, who will decide whether the matter is worth further action. Andy Moeller was not arrested in connection with the alleged assault.

The unidentified victim was a guest in Moeller’s home at the time of the incident. Since she’s not a spouse or girlfriend, ESPN reports that the crime would be considered assault rather than domestic assault.

Outside of the official statement, employers and players associated with the Cleveland Browns have said little or nothing about the Andy Moeller suspension and assault accusation. ESPN wrote that Browns head coach Mike Pettine would not comment on the matter. Left tackle Joe Thomas told reporters that “all [the players] heard” was that Andy “was dealing with some personal things and might be gone for a while.”

The Akron Beacon Journal reports that while Andy Moeller is away, assistant offensive line coach George DeLeone will fill in for him. Senior offensive assistant Kurt Roper is also expected to help. Pettine is confident that DeLeone and Roper, together with “the strong leadership in the room,” won’t signal “a significant drop-off” in terms of quality coaching of Cleveland Browns players.

Moeller has been with the Browns for two seasons, but this isn’t the first time he’s been in trouble — with the NFL or the law. The Akron Beacon reports that in 2011, Andy Moeller was suspended by the league for two games and fined $47,000. An offensive line coach with the Baltimore Ravens at the time, the punishment was due to a DUI arrest. The Associated Press first reported the incident and noted it was Andy’s third alcohol-related arrest in four years.

[Image Credit: YouTube]

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