GAINESVILLE – Speaking to the media for the first time since two players were arrested over the weekend, Florida coach Billy Donovan didn't want to say much.
With the legal situation still to be resolved for Cody Larson and Erik Murphy – two forwards who were arrested in St. Augustine for allegedly breaking into a car early Sunday – Donovan reiterated that they remained suspended and no final decisions had been made.
"There was some unfortunate events that I was very disappointed that took place this weekend with Cody Larson and Erik Murphy. I made a statement that both guys are suspended right now from our team,"
Donovan said. "I really can't take any questions and cannot talk about it because obviously, it's ongoing. All I can say is I'm disappointed in those guys, they're disappointed in themselves, and we'll have to wait and see what happens going forward."
Donovan held a press conference to discuss the hiring of assistants John Pelphrey and Norm Roberts. The two former head coaches joined the staff after the school announced the departure of Rob Lanier and Richard Pitino on Tuesday.
While Donovan spoke extensively about all four coaches, he also addressed questions about the players' arrest for the first time.
Murphy, 20, and Larson, 19, allegedly broke into a car after being thrown out of Scartlett O'Hara's, a bar in St. Augustine. Witnesses told police that the two claimed to have lost a wallet and were standing near a female employee as she counted cash around closing time, said Sgt. Jason Etheredge of the St. Augustine Police Department.
After bouncers had them leave the bar, Murphy and Larson allegedly broke into the car of a bar employee. Josh Adel, a Gators team manager, served as the lookout, police said.
Bar employees confronted the three before they ran from the scene. Murphy, Larson and Adel were eventually taken into custody and booked at the St. John's County Jail.
The owner of the vehicle told police nothing was missing, and Etheredge said the men cooperated after their arrest.
Murphy and Larson were each charged with third-degree burglary. Adel was charged with principal to burglary.
Donovan responded on Monday by suspending Murphy, a sophomore, and Larson, a freshman, from the team on Monday.
"I talked to both of them (Monday) and told them up front that I was not in a position to talk about what they were going through," Donovan said. "And they'll have to get legal representation. They're going to have to make some family decisions and do some things, and I've got to see the way all of this plays out. Until that happens, certainly the decision they made was very, very disappointing. The fact that they were arrested was very disappointing, so for that, they're going to be suspended here from all activities. And we've only got a few weeks left and then it'll be summer break for them, but that'll probably be something I'll have to make a decision on once all this is settled and it's done."
