Former UW football coach Jim Lambright arrested in domestic violence probe
Jun 25, 2014, 1:02 PM | Updated: 4:11 pm
Jim Lambright served as head coach of the University of Washington football team for six years after 24 seasons as an assistant. The 72-year-old was arrested last Thursday in a domestic violence case. (UW image)
(UW image)
BY
KIRO Radio Reporter
Former University of Washington football coach Jim Lambright has been arrested for an alleged domestic violence assault involving his granddaughter in what his wife says is just the latest sign of his growing “explosive disorder.”
Snohomish County Sheriff’s spokesperson Shari Ireton tells KIRO Radio that Lambright, 72, became angry with his two granddaughters while they were visiting him and his longtime wife in the couple’s Snohomish home on June 19.
According to court documents, Lambright told police he was “very frustrated at their attitude and did not see their reason to visit all the time.”
Lambright allegedly ordered his 24-year-old granddaughter to leave and she refused. He said he had grabbed her by the arms to force her out, that she was not harmed and did not understand why law enforcement was called.
But the granddaughter told deputies that Lambright “suddenly exploded.” He allegedly grabbed her by the arms and forced her to the kitchen floor, then forcibly tried dragging her by her right ankle, the documents said. He only managed to drag her a few feet before she broke away and ran out of the house and called 911.
Lambright’s wife Lynne told deputies he suffers from dementia and “explosive disorder,” and the condition is deteriorating.
She also said Lambright “has consistently pushed and shoved her over the course of their marriage,” and she is “truly a battered wife, both physically and verbally.”
The documents said three rifles were confiscated from the property as well.
Lambright, an Everett native, served as head coach for the Huskies for six seasons from 1993 to 1998. He took over as head coach in 1992 following the Billy Joe Hobert scandal that led to Don James’ resignation and NCAA sanction for the UW. Prior to that, he served as an assistant coach for 24 seasons, including the 1991 national championship.
Lambright also played for UW, graduating in 1965. He earned all-conference honors for the Huskies in 1964 and also was the team’s Guy Flaherty Award winner as a senior.
The Huskies posted a 44-25-1 record during his six seasons, with a Pac-10 record of 31-16-1. Lambright won 30 games in his first four years as head coach — more than any of his predecessors.
