WVU Basketball Coach Bob Huggins Apologizes for Using Homophobic Slur
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WHEELING -- West Virginia University men's basketball coach Bob Huggins offered an apology Monday afternoon after using a homophobic slur earlier that day in a phone interview with a Cincinnati radio station.
Huggins was supposed to be in attendance Monday night at Oglebay Park's Pine Room as the WVU Coaches Caravan rolled into Ohio County on the first of four consecutive nightly appearances around the Mountain State. He ultimately did not appear. New WVU athletic director Wren Baker said Huggins had a "conflict."
Baker said he had "just briefly" spoken to Huggins earlier in the day.
"We (West Virginia University) put out a statement earlier tonight and you guys saw coach's statement," Baker said. "We really don't have anything else at this time. I was driving on my way here, so I haven't really haven't had a chance to get all the facts or information. As soon as we do, we'll have a follow up."
Huggins had been a guest on the Bill Cunningham Show on Newsradio 700 WLW, and started talking about the crosstown rivalry between the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University. Huggins was Cincinnati's basketball coach from 1989-2005.
He was talking about items he said Xavier fans would throw on the court when the Bearcats played there, and used the homophobic slur at that time.
Later Monday, Huggins issued an apology via Twitter, saying he would accept whatever punishment WVU deemed necessary.
"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," the veteran head coach said in the statement. "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," he added. "I am ashamed and embarrassed and heartbroken for those I have hurt. I must do better, and I will."
WVU's athletic department also released a separate statement, acknowledging Huggins' apology.
"Coach Huggins' remarks today on a Cincinnati radio show were insensitive, offensive and do not represent our university values. Coach Huggins has since apologized," the statement read. "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 has served as West Virginia's head men's basketball coach since 2007, and is currently the active career wins leader in Division I men's basketball. He recorded his 700th victory last season and was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September.
B-MAC Director John S. Marshall said he received a telephone call late Monday afternoon notifying him that Huggins wouldn't be attending the social event.