WVU men’s basketball coach Bob Huggins receives suspension, pay cut after using homophobic slur

Bob Huggins BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - MARCH 16: Head coach Bob Huggins of the West Virginia Mountaineers looks on against the Maryland Terrapins during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Legacy Arena at the BJCC on March 16, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

By WPXI.com News Staff

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Bob Huggins, head coach of the West Virginia University men’s basketball team, has received a suspension and a pay cut after using a homophobic slur in a radio interview this week.

[ PREVIOUS COVERAGE: West Virginia men’s basketball head coach Bob Huggins uses homophobic slur in radio interview ]

Huggins faced backlash after using a homophobic slur twice when referring to Xavier University fans during a radio interview on a show in Cincinnati.

Wednesday, the university announced they will reduce Huggins’ pay by $1 million. Huggins will also be suspended for three games in the fall.

His current contract is now set to end in 2024. WVU said in a statement that any similar actions will result in immediate termination.

Huggins will also receive sensitivity training after his comments.

In a second social media statement posted on Wednesday, Huggins said he looks forward to working with the university’s LGBTQ center and that he hopes his personal donation to Xavier University will “further the work it does and the impact it has on its students.”

Click here to read the full statement from WVU.

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