West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins used a slur in a radio interview with 700 WLW’s Bill Cunningham Show on Monday, where he called Xavier fans, “all those f**s. Those Catholic f**s.”
Huggins since issued a statement apologizing for his words and accepting any future actions West Virginia University takes.
“Earlier today on a Cincinnati radio program, I was asked about the rivalry between my former employer, the University of Cincinnati, and its crosstown rival, Xavier University. During the conversation, I used a completely insensitive and abhorrent phrase that there is simply no excuse for —and I won’t try to make one here. I deeply apologize to the individuals I have offended, as well as to the Xavier University community, the University of Cincinnati and West Virginia University. As I have shared with my players over my 40 years of coaching, there are consequences for our words and actions, and I will fully accept any coming my way. I am ashamed and embarrassed and heartbroken for those I have hurt. I must do better, and I will.”
Huggins is the leader in all-time wins by University of Cincinnati men’s basketball head coaches and has been at the helm of WVU men’s basketball program since 2007.
The full audio clip can be found here.
Huggins has put together one of the top transfer portal classes for West Virginia this offseason. The Mountaineers returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021 this season under Huggins’ leadership. Huggins is also the current active leader among Division I head coaches with 935 wins.
