West Virginia men’s basketball coach Bob Huggins was arrested on Friday night on a charge of driving under the influence, which has raised concerns about his future with the program.
This incident follows a previous controversy six weeks ago when Huggins used an anti-gay slur on air, resulting in a salary reduction and suspension.
West Virginia University released a statement saying they are gathering more information and will take appropriate action once their review is complete.
According to a report from the Pittsburgh Police, officers observed a black SUV blocking traffic with a flat and shredded tire, and the driver’s side door was open.
They instructed the driver, identified as Robert Huggins, to move the vehicle off the road.
However, Huggins had difficulty maneuvering the SUV, leading the officers to suspect intoxication.
They conducted field sobriety tests, which Huggins failed, resulting in his arrest and charge of DUI. He was later released, and a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for a later date.
Previous Controversies
Anti-Gay Slur
Prior to this arrest, there were indications that the upcoming 2023-24 season could be Huggins’ last.
Following his use of an anti-gay slur, he faced a salary reduction of $1 million and suspension.
Furthermore, his contract was amended to be guaranteed for only one year, signaling that West Virginia officials had control over his future and could potentially transition to a new coaching staff without significant financial obligations.
Huggins’ arrest now adds further pressure on West Virginia officials who had previously expressed outrage over his comments and had to navigate public pressure to retain him for the upcoming season.
In a joint statement after Huggins’ radio comments, the university’s president and athletic director condemned his slurs as “inexcusable” and stated that they tarnished the university’s reputation.
Bob Huggins, a Morgantown native who played for West Virginia University during college, has been coaching at his alma mater since 2007.
He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022 and has led the Mountaineers to 11 NCAA tournament appearances, including a Final Four in 2010.
Prior to coaching at West Virginia, Huggins had successful stints at Cincinnati and Kansas State.
Drunk Driving Incident
It’s worth noting that this is not the first time Huggins has faced legal trouble related to alcohol.
In 2004, while coaching at Cincinnati, he was convicted of drunken driving after pleading no contest.
This incident led to a disagreement with the university president at the time and ultimately resulted in Huggins resigning as the Bearcats’ coach.
