West Virginia men’s basketball head coach Bob Huggins is under fire after he used a homophobic slur on a Cincinnati radio show earlier Monday.
Huggins — the former Cincinnati head men’s basketball coach and current longtime West Virginia men’s basketball coach — referred to Xavier fans as, “all those f**s. Those Catholic f**s.”
Huggins since apologized, and accepted any further action West Virginia University might take.
West Virginia University Athletics then released a statement saying, “Coach Huggins’ remarks today on a Cincinnati radio show were insensitive, offensive and do not represent our University values. Coach Huggins has since apologized. West Virginia University does not condone the use of such language and takes such actions very seriously. The situation is under review and will be addressed by the University and its athletics department.”
Huggins’ statement which he first released read, “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.”
More information, including the full audio of the interaction can be found here.
