McDaniel reinstated, suspended for two games

McDaniel, a rising junior, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault in Knox County Criminal Court after his attorney, Don Bosch, reached a plea agreement with Knox County District Attorney Randy Nichols.

The charges stem from a Jan. 12 pickup basketball game at a campus recreation center where the 6-foot-7, 295-pound McDaniel struck UT student Edward Goodrich, 26, in the face, breaking four bones.

Also on Thursday, Bosch released a University of Tennessee administrative law judge's ruling that McDaniel will be reinstated for the fall semester. The Columbia, S.C., native had been suspended indefinitely from the football team since January.

The administrative judge suspended McDaniel for the second semester of summer classes, and the junior will not receive credit for any courses completed during that time.

In addition, McDaniel has been placed on indefinite probation for the remainder of his time at UT. He also is prohibited from entering the TRECS Center on campus while he is a student.

"This kid has been a model citizen. He's never had any issues," Bosch said of McDaniel following the hearing. "This was a very physical basketball game where he was targeted because he was the biggest man on the court. It was a one-punch, fivesecond lapse of judgment. Tony is as remorseful as any defendant I've ever represented."

McDaniel was indicted on felony aggravated assault charges in May by a Knox County grand jury, but Thursday's plea is a Class A misdemeanor.

McDaniel, who declined to be interviewed, was given a suspended sentence of 11 months, 29 days, but likely will not see jail time. He was immediately placed on supervised probation until he completes restitution to Goodrich, which amounts to Goodrich's medical expenses not covered by insurance.

That amount will likely be in the thousands, Bosch said.

"We're going to make it right with Mr. Goodrich," Bosch said.

During the hearing before Judge Ray Lee Jenkins, McDaniel said he had hoped to apologize to Goodrich in person.

"I wanted to apologize to Mr. Goodrich, but he's not here," McDaniel told the judge.

In announcing the suspension, Fulmer also imposed a curfew on McDaniel for the fall semester. He must also perform community service and attend an anger management program.

"I'm please to have this behind us," Fulmer said a statement. "This has reflected poorly on Tony and his family as well as the university and our team. Tony is remorseful for his actions and I feel he has learned a great life lesson. He will complete the requirements set forth by the courts and university and our internal discipline.

"He is a good young man who made a bad decision and now has a second chance to move forward."