PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A million-dollar salary reduction, a significant suspension and sensitivity training, what ESPN’s Pete Thamel is reporting Bob Huggins will face after using an anti-gay slur in a live interview with a Cincinnati radio station on Monday.
The university confirmed the punishment, saying He will be fined $1 million, will be suspended three games and his long-term contract has been reduced to a year-to-year deal, that currently ends next April 30.
The 69-year-old not only Mountaineers coach, but Mountaineers Hall of Fame coach, will still make $3.2 million even after the salary reduction.
Huggins is eighth on the Division 1 men’s basketball all-time wins list with 863 (345 at WVU) and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame last year. He also has arguably the best transfer portal recruiting class in the country for this coming season, including Arizona point guard Kerr Kriisa and Syracuse post player Jesse Edwards-two of the top 10 transfers in the nation.
West Virginia University's President E. Gordon Gee released a statement Wednesday that read, in part, "We will never truly know the damage that has been done by the words said in those 90 seconds. Words matter and they can leave scars that can never be seen. But words can also heal. And by taking this moment to learn more about another’s perspective, speak respectfully and lead with understanding, perhaps the words “do better” will lead to meaningful change for all."
Huggins released a statement as well. This is the entirety of what the West Virginia coach said:
"Over the past 48 hours, I have reflected on the awful words that I shared on a radio program earlier this week. I deeply regret my actions, the hurt they unfairly caused others and the negative attention my words have brought to West Virginia University.
I also regret the embarrassment and disappointment it has caused our Athletics family, members of our campus community and the state of West Virginia. I am sorry for the hurt and distress I have caused our students and our student-athletes. I represent more than just our University and our basketball program, and it pains me to know that I have let so many people down.
I have no excuse for the language I used, and I take full responsibility. I will abide with the actions outlined by the University and Athletics leadership to learn from this incident. I have had several conversations with colleagues and friends that I deeply respect and admire over the last 24 hours, and I am keenly aware of the pain that I have caused. I meant what I wrote on Monday - I will do better.
I am looking forward to working with WVU’s LGBTQ+ Center and other state organizations to learn more about the issues facing the community. As a leader, I am eager to use my platform to take what I learn and share it with a broader audience.
I also regret my comments regarding Xavier University. I am hopeful that my personal donation to the university to support its Center for Faith and Justice and its Center for Diversity and Inclusion will further the work it does and the impact it has on its students.
West Virginia and West Virginia University are my home. I love this University and know first-hand that the education and experiences students receive here make a difference. I am truly sorry for the damage I have done. And I am grateful for the chance to move forward in a way that positively represents this University and our state."