Bob Huggins' salary reduction will go to local LGBTQ+ organizations

Bob Huggins’ anti-gay comments have seen him suspended from the West Virginia basketball team and his current contract amended to a year-by-year agreement. According to Front Office Sports, Huggins’ $1 million salary reduction will be distributed to local LGBTQ organizations around West Virginia.

The news of Huggins’ suspension comes after he made viral headlines during a Cincinnati radio appearance. Huggins appeared to use a homophobic slur when discussing Xavier via Bill Cunningham’s WLW radio show earlier in the week.

West Virginia has since released a statement in light of Huggins’ abhorrent comments.

“On Monday, May 8, Head Men’s Basketball Coach Bob Huggins was interviewed on a Cincinnati radio show where he used derogatory and offensive language,” the statement read. “It was inexcusable. It was a moment that unfairly and inappropriately hurt many people and has tarnished West Virginia University.

“It is also a moment that provides the opportunity for learning. A moment that can shine a light on the injustice and hate that often befall the members of our marginalized communities. While the University has never and will never condone the language used on Monday, we will use this moment to educate how the casual use of inflammatory language and implicit bias affect our culture, our community and our health and well-being.

“To begin, the Athletics Department will partner with WVU’s LGBTQ+ Center to develop annual training sessions that will address all aspects of inequality including homophobia, transphobia, sexism, ableism and more. This training and programming will be required of Coach Huggins and all current and future athletics coaching staff.”

Huggins is about to enter his 17th season with the Mountaineers and 42nd season overall as a collegiate head coach. He led West Virginia to an NCAA Tournament appearance after starting off their conference schedule 0-5, and also obtained an impressive set of transfer portal additions to his team this offseason.

CBS Sports college basketball analyst Matt Lorlander anticipates that the 2023-24 season will be the last for Bob Huggins at West Virginia. “I thought that was the case before this even happened,” Norlander said.

Shortly after making the remarks, Huggins issued the statement below regarding the incident.

“Earlier today on a Cincinnati radio program, I was asked about the rivalry between my former employer, the University of Cincinnati, and its crosstown rival, Xavier University,” the statement read. “During the conversation, I used a completely abhorrent phrase that there is simply no excuse for — and I won’t try to make one here. I deeply apologize to the individuals I have offended, as well as to the Xavier University community, the University of Cincinnati and West Virginia University.

“As I have shared with my players over my 40 years of coaching, there are consequences for our words and actions, and I will fully accept any coming my way. I am ashamed and embarrassed and heartbroken for those I have hurt. I must do better and I will.”