West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins ‘under review’ following homophobic slur
West Virginia University basketball coach Bob Huggins issued an apology after using a homophobic slur on a radio show Monday.
His status as the Mountaineers’ boss on the hardwood is “under review.”
The foul occurred when Huggins spoke to Cincinnati, Ohio station 700WLW by phone about the rivalry between Xavier University and the University of Cincinnati, where he previously coached.
The 69-year-old coach, nicknamed “Huggy Bear,” used a bigoted term to refer to Xavier Musketeers’ supporters.
Huggins soon after issued an apology on Twitter.
“I used a completely unacceptable and abhorrent phrase that there is simply no excuse for,” he wrote. “And I won’t try to make one here.”
He apologized to the schools he was discussing as well as West Virginia University, which hired him in 2007. Huggins said he understands actions have consequences and will “fully accept” whatever condemnation comes his way.
West Virginia University posted his mea culpa on Twitter along with a statement of its own claiming the coach’s words do not represent the school’s values and is a serious matter.
“The situation is under review and will be addressed the University and its athletics department,” the school tweeted.
Huggins spent 17 years leading the Cincinnati Bearcats’ men’s basketball program to an impressive 399-127 record. His departure was the result of a power struggle with the university’s president, according to ESPN.
He finished with an 8-8 record in the annual Crosstown Shootout against Xavier. After spending a year at Kansas State University, the Morgantown, W. Va., native returned to the University of West Virginia, where he played college basketball. He earns $4.15 million annually to run that program.
According to Sports Illustrated, Huggins said in December he’s not a Xavier fan.
“I don’t have any good thoughts of Xavier whatsoever,” he told reporters. “None. Absolutely none.”
