West Virginia men’s basketball coach Bob Huggins has come under fire for language he used during a Monday appearance on The Bill Cunningham Show on 700 WLW.
While discussing his time as the head basketball coach at the University of Cincinnati, Huggins reminisced about the time fans from Xavier University — the chief rival of Cincinnati — allegedly threw sex toys onto the court.
After remembering the event, Huggins then used a homophobic slur, twice, to describe the fans.
Huggins took to Twitter to issue a statement of apology after a clip of his comments went viral on social media.
“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,” the statement read. “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 community, 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.”
In turn, the West Virginia athletic department also issued a statement condemning the comments.
“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.”
