Explained the Bob Huggins controversy as the basketball coach at West Virginia got himself into trouble on Monday and it’s all his own with the video of him using a homophobic in the radio interview slur viral
Huggins’ own statements interrupted the Mountaineers’ fantastic offseason, which saw the programme sign three of the top players in the transfer market and may be called into doubt his tenure with the squad. He has been one of the most effective college basketballs in the arena without winning a national title. He has led Cincinnati and West Virginia to the Final Four, making him one of just six coaches with at least 900 Division I victories.
The Mountaineers head coach, a Hall of Famer now in his 17th season, may face a decision from the university as a result of his remarks on Monday.
Bob Huggins uses homophobic slur for Xavier fans, video goes viral
Huggins repeatedly used a homophobic epithet in a radio interview with Cincinnati’s 700WLW on Monday. He said, “It was, was all those f—, that Catholic f—, I think,” when discussing an alleged incident at a game between Cincinnati and Xavier with host Bill Cunningham.
⚠️ Here’s the audio of Bob Huggins calling Xavier fans “Catholic f–s” during an appearance on Bill Cunningham’s WLW radio show in Cincinnati pic.twitter.com/JTftGx9rQE
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 8, 2023
Cunningham didn’t appear too concerned by the slur as he continued to laugh throughout the rest of the interview, but Huggins’ remarks caused a very brief but awkward hush on the air. Huggins was initially questioned by Cunningham about whether West Virginia was allowing players through the transfer portal from Xavier. Over the course of his 17 years at crosstown Cincinnati, Xavier was Huggins’ most ferocious foe.
Huggins has issued an apology.
Later on Monday, Huggins issued a statement in which he acknowledged using a “completely insensitive and abhorrent phrase that there is simply no excuse for.” The Hall of Fame coach expressed his sincere regret for his remarks and said he would “fully accept” any repercussions.
Bob Huggins has released a statement. pic.twitter.com/9ZwHoww8JA
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 8, 2023
In a statement of its own, West Virginia referred to Huggins’ remarks as “offensive” and said that the matter is being looked into and would be dealt with.
West Virginia has released a statement. pic.twitter.com/dCqx58F6YW
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 8, 2023
Again not for the first time in sports!
Famous people have previously lost their jobs as a result of insults. That includes Thom Brennaman, a former Reds play-by-play announcer who was recorded on a hot mic in 2020 calling a specific city “one of the f— capitals of the world” during a game versus the Royals. Nick Castellanos’ unfortunate home run made his on-air apology notorious, but it wasn’t enough to keep him from losing his job.
Huggins has a tight relationship with Brennaman and his late father Marty, the longtime play-by-play announcer for the Reds. Three months after the incident and Brennaman’s dismissal, Huggins invited the younger Brennaman to address his team.
Huggins used the word intentionally on the air, unlike Brennaman, despite the fact that any use of it will be immediately condemned. He will at the very least need to defend himself to the university before potential repercussions.