West Virginia University said it is reviewing homophobic comments made by Bob Huggins, the university’s men’s basketball Hall of Fame coach, in a live radio interview on Monday and will address them later.
Appearing on the “Bill Cunningham Show” on Cincinnati Station 700WLW, Huggins discussed his 16-season term at the University of Cincinnati and the intra-urban competition with Xavier University. Remembering the inter-school crosstown shootout game, he twice called Xavier fans homophobic slurs.
West Virginia said in a statement that Huggins’ remarks were “insensitive and offensive” and did not represent its values. We take such behavior very seriously. The situation is under investigation and will be addressed by the University and its athletic department.”
Asked if Huggins, 69, will be allowed to continue recruiting and working during the review, a spokesman for the men’s basketball team referred to a statement from the university. Didn’t respond to text messages asking.
Summer recruitment peaks in July. College coaches can host prospects for formal and informal visits until May 18th, after which they can resume on May 27th.
Huggins apologized before the university issued a statement and said it would “fully accept” any consequences for his comments.
In a statement, Huggins said, “During the conversation, I used absolutely insensitive and abusive language that was inexcusable. I am not going to make excuses here.” “We offer our deepest apologies to the individual who was offended, the Xavier University community, the University of Cincinnati, and the University of West Virginia.”
He didn’t turn up as scheduled for a fundraising event in Wheeling, West Virginia, on Monday night. His longtime assistant Ron Everhart appeared in his place.
“He got into an argument and won’t be able to attend tonight,” West Virginia athletic director Len Baker told local reporters.
Huggins has been a coach in West Virginia since 2007. He will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022 and is one of only six men’s coaches to have achieved his 900th win in Division I. His Four in the 2010 Final is a feat the team had not achieved since his 1950s.
