Pitt defensive end Dayon Hayes returned to the field during Pitt's 28-26 win over Duke on Saturday, after sitting out one game while under investigation for a domestic simple assault charge, a misdemeanor offense.
Hayes is scheduled to appear in Pittsburgh Municipal Court on Tuesday afternoon for a preliminary hearing regarding an incident which occurred on Nov. 6. Police said they were called to an East Hills Drive apartment by a woman who alleged Hayes -- who is her boyfriend and the father of her child -- pulled her hair, grabbed her by her head, and held it against a wall.
Court records say she attempted to leave the room, but Hayes, 21, slammed the door into her leg and refused to allow her to leave.
When I asked Pat Narduzzi on Monday about Hayes' return to the field against Duke amid the scheduled court date, he mentioned Hayes went through team disciplinary measures before getting back on the field.
"Obviously he missed one game, and like I've said, you're always innocent until you're proven guilty," Narduzzi said during his weekly press conference on the South Side. "But, we've kind of made him guilty until he's innocent. He's paid a price with the team, he's paid a price on the field. He was out for a week, and spent some time down in what we call 'the pit' down there, doing some stuff with coach Stac (strength coach Michael Sacchiotti), so we'll wait to see where that whole thing goes, then we'll move on from there."
When first addressing the incident on Nov. 7, just before his weekly press conference, Narduzzi released a statement which mentioned "team disciplinary measures," but did not specifically say whether Hayes was suspended from the team.
Here is that Nov. 7 statement, in full:
"The incident involving Dayon Hayes is incredibly disappointing and concerning. I take all disciplinary matters very seriously, and that is especially the case with situations of this kind. Our players know they are accountable for their actions, both on and off the field. I’ve conveyed this to Dayon, who will be immediately subject to team disciplinary measures in addition to any legal consequences that may arise. The details of that discipline will remain a private matter.”
Then, in that day's press conference, Narduzzi addressed the situation in his opening statement:
"I've already released a statement on my behalf and really don't want to answer any further questions on it, but obviously as a head football coach, as a parent, very, very disappointed, and what happened, it's something that we coach very hard against, not only football-wise, but how we act as people," he said. "Very, very disappointed, and I'll let that issue take care of itself and won't have any further comment on that."
After a one-game "not-suspension" against Virginia, Hayes returned to play meaningful snaps against Duke. Hayes entered the game on the first snap of Duke's second possession of the game and rotated in throughout parts of it. Football-wise, Hayes' presence was needed, especially with Haba Baldonado unavailable and Calijah Kancey leaving the game in the second half with an apparent shoulder injury. Hayes was disruptive on the edge and finished the game with two total tackles.
