Just days after West Virginia head basketball coach Bob Huggins used a homophobic slur multiple times on a radio show, he is now receiving his punishment.
Somehow, he is keeping his job.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Huggins is going to be returning to the program for the 2023-24 season, but he will be suspended and receive a $1 million salary reduction and undergo sensitivity training.
Earlier this week, Higgins used homophobic slurs in reference to Xavier fans during a Cincinnati radio appearance on 700 WLW. While speaking on the Cincinnati radio show on Monday, Huggins was asked if he had ever “poached” any Xavier players to transfer to West Virginia.
“Catholics don’t do that,” Huggins replied. “Any school that can throw rubber penises on the floor and then say they didn’t do it, my god, they can get away with anything.”
Higgins followed with his anti-gay comment: “What it was was all those fs, those Catholic fags I think. … They were envious they didn’t have one.”
Huggins has apologized for his remarks, but nobody expected him to actually keep his job.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NCAA stories via Google! Follow Us
“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,” Huggins said in a statement, released via the school.
“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 community, the University of Cincinnati and West Virginia University.
“As I have shared with my players over my 40 years 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,” Huggins concluded.
Huggins’s use of the slur prompted swift and widespread condemnation.
West Virginia failing to fire him won’t go over well, but they know that and are clearly hoping this situation just simply blows over.
