Renowned basketball coach Bob Huggins, currently serving as the head coach for West Virginia University’s basketball team, has been arrested in Pittsburgh on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), Your Content has learned.
The incident follows Huggins’ recent suspension by the university for three games due to his use of an anti-gay slur and derogatory remarks about Catholics during a radio interview.
The 69-year-old coach, residing in Morgantown, West Virginia, was apprehended by the police on Friday evening.
According to the police report, Huggins was charged with DUI and subsequently released from custody.
He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing at a later date.
This is not the first time Huggins has faced such legal trouble.
He was previously arrested in 2004 while serving as the head coach for the University of Cincinnati.
Huggins’ recent arrest comes as a setback to his professional career, which has already witnessed a DUI-related incident in the past.
West Virginia University’s athletic department has issued a statement acknowledging the incident and expressing their intention to gather more information before taking appropriate action.
The university had previously suspended Huggins and mandated sensitivity training following his use of offensive language during a radio interview in which he made derogatory comments about the LGBTQ+ community and Catholics.
During the recent incident, officers noticed a black SUV blocking traffic on the road with a flat and shredded tire, and the driver’s side door open.
They instructed Huggins to move the vehicle off the road to assist with the tire, but upon observing his difficulty in maneuvering, they activated their lights.
Suspecting intoxication, the officers questioned Huggins and asked him to exit the vehicle. Subsequently, he failed standard field sobriety tests, leading to his arrest without incident.
Huggins was then transported for further testing.
Huggins’ previous DUI arrest in 2004 resulted in a plea of no contest, leading to his participation in a three-day intervention program.
The University of Cincinnati suspended him indefinitely with pay at that time, requiring him to seek rehabilitation.
Despite the challenges, Huggins was able to resume his coaching career two months later, expressing remorse and a commitment to personal growth.
However, his tenure at Cincinnati came to an end in 2005 due to conflicts with the school’s president and the aftermath of his previous DUI arrest.
Following his departure from Cincinnati, Huggins found a new opportunity at his alma mater, West Virginia University, in 2007.
However, his recent suspension and now the DUI arrest have put his coaching position at risk once again.
In response to Huggins’ use of offensive language, West Virginia University imposed several penalties, including a three-game suspension, a $1 million salary reduction, and mandatory sensitivity training.
The deducted salary will be utilized to support WVU’s LGBTQ+ Center, a mental health center, and other organizations aiding marginalized communities.
Moreover, his contract has been amended to a year-by-year agreement starting from May 10, 2023, until April 30, 2024.
Despite these setbacks, Bob Huggins remains a highly accomplished coach, having been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in September of last year.
Over his 41-year career, his teams have made 25 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, achieved seven top-10 rankings in The Associated Press poll, and encountered subpar seasons on only five occasions.
Under Huggins’ leadership, the Mountaineers have participated in 11 NCAA Tournaments, according NBC4.