Move over Thom Brennaman, Bob Huggins has a few things to say. And don't blame this on eating too much Cincinnati-style chili; Huggins hasn't lived in the Queen City for over a decade.

In a time when marginalizing groups, throwing out offensive generalities, and especially "hate speech" are all viewed as antiquated things we'd like to forget ever existed, the head coach of WVU men's basketball mistakenly decided to call his former rivals, the Xavier Musketeers, a homophobic slur... twice. Gotta make sure everyone hears it, right?

West Virginia's Huggins appeared on "The Bill Cunningham Show," a small talk radio program on a Cincinnati AM station, and relatively early in the interview, WVU's coach was asked whether he had “poached any Xavier guys to come to West Virginia” from the NCAA Transfer Portal. Xavier, of course being a former rival of the coach during his time at the helm of the UC Bearcats progam.

Huggins then mentioned Xavier fans throwing "rubber penises" onto the court during a Crosstown Shootout game with Cincinnati. One of the co-hosts suggested that maybe it was “Transgender Night," to which Huggins replied, “What it was, was all those f**s, those Catholic f**s, I think. They were envious they didn’t have one.”

You can hear the clip here. The language may not be appropriate for all listeners.

Both Bob Huggins and West Virginia University released statements following the incident. You can read both releases below:

Statement from Bob Huggins
"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. During the conversation, I used a completely insensitive and 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."

WVU Athletics:
Coach Huggins' remarks today on a Cincinnati radio show were insensitive, offensive and do not represent our University values. Coach Huggins has since apologized. West Virginia University does not condone the use of such language and takes such actions very seriously. The situation is under review and will be addressed by the University and its athletics department.

West Virginia is entering the 2023-24 campaign with one of the best recruiting classes of Huggins tenure in Morgantown. Some have already predicted the Mountaineers could make a Final Four run with the roster WVU has put together. For now, fans will just have to "wait and see" what happens until the season opener against Missouri State on November 6th inside WVU Coliseum.

What do you think of Huggins' comments? Let us know in the comments below.