Oregon reinstates Traeshon Holden after police opt not to press charges

Oregon has reinstated Traeshon Holden after previously dismissing him from the program, head coach Dan Lanning said Friday. Holden was arrested and subsequently dismissed, but police opted not to press charges last week.

Holden was arrested Feb. 15 after allegedly pulling a gun on another person. He faced charges of coercion, menacing and unlawful use of a weapon as a result, but police dropped the charges Feb. 17.

“Following the release of new information from the Lane County District Attorney’s office, student-athlete Traeshon Holden has been reinstated to the Oregon football team,” Lanning said, via On3 and Scoop Duck’s Jarrid Denney. “We will always take allegations of this nature very seriously. However, when new information is provided by authorities, such as in this instance, disciplinary action will be reevaluated and adjusted, when appropriate.”

Holden transferred to Oregon from Alabama, where he had 331 yards and six touchdowns, which was one behind the team leader in 2022.

Police choose not to press charges against Traeshon Holden

Hodlen’s lawyer, Jacob Houze, sent a statement to KEZI-TV after the district attorney announced the decision to drop the charges. Houze reiterated his client’s innocence.

“Traeshon Holden did nothing wrong. The Lane County District Attorney’s thorough review of the evidence has confirmed that. Now that he has been exonerated, he deserves to have his good name back,” Houze said. 

Holden retweeted the news with a message, as well.

“Thankful that the truth is out,” he tweeted.

After his arrest, Holden was dismissed from the Oregon program after transferring in from Alabama. Ducks head coach Dan Lanning released a statement via an athletic department spokesperson announcing the decision.

“We are aware of the incident involving Traeshon Holden, and he has been dismissed from our team,” Lanning said. “We have high standards for the student-athletes, coaches, and staff in our football program, and we are disappointed when these standards are not met.

“We will continue to hold everyone in our program accountable for meeting our expectations.”