Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

7/20/2010 at 2:46pm

Image by UCA Sports Information

University of Central Arkansas Bears football coach Clint Conque.

Apparently attacking any wild speculation before it got out of control, University of Central Arkansas officials and head football coach Clint Conque addressed a personal situation involving Conque with official statements on the matter, but it will not affect Conque's coaching job with the Bears.

UCA's sports information office released statements from Conque, Bears athletic director Brad Teague and university President Allen Meadors on Tuesday afternoon.

Conque's statement said:

"Dring a period of time in my life I made some poor personal decisions. I had an inappropriate relationship in the past that I regret and these mistakes and missteps have hurt the ones that I love the most. While we have been dealing with these issues privately, I regret that we must now deal with this in a public manner. I take sole and complete responsibility for my actions as my family and I continue the process of healing and rebuilding. I want to once again sincerely apologize first to my family, also to the university community, the administration, the university’s athletic staff, and to our football staff and team. I will emerge from this a better man, husband, father and coach. I appreciate the support that I have received from the Board of Trustees, President Meadors, Dr. Teague, and the university during this extremely difficult time.

'I would genuinely appreciate everyone extending [wife] Angele and my three sons the privacy and compassion needed to move forward in our personal lives. I look forward to the 2010 football season and the beginning of fall practice."

Teague's prepared statement said:

Coach Conque admitted to an inappropriate relationship in his past. He has been honest and forthright regarding his mistakes and has been working on rebuilding his relationship with his family. We support his efforts in his personal life and truly hope these efforts are successful.

Coach Conque and his family have been a large part of our university and community for many years. It is our hope he can mend his personal relationships and we are confident that he will continue to maintain a great football program for our university. We look forward to having Coach Conque and his staff lead our program this fall.

I agreed to having Coach Conque make this public personal statement to end any speculation prior to the beginning of the fall season. His issue is in the past and he has done everything correctly to assure me we are on course for a great fall campaign. As this is a personal matter for Coach Conque and his family, I will have no further comment on this issue.

UCA President Allen Meadors' statement echoed Teague's, with Meadors also saying: "The university is moving forward and we are focusing on the upcoming academic year, and we look forward to a great and exciting football season."

Admitting all this, even before many of us had heard any rumors, is a bit refreshing in this day and time.

And that is that. Let's play ball.

Tagged: Brad Teague, Allen Meadors, Clint Conque, football, UCA Bears