Posted on 06/12/2004 12:12:35 PM PDT by FlJoePa
University of Cincinnati head basketball coach Bob Huggins has been charged with DUI.
9News has confirmed Huggins was cited after he was pulled over in the village of Fairfax late Tuesday night.
He was not jailed.
Fairfax Police said Huggins was in his Lexus SUV in the 6000 block of Wooster Pike at about 11:30 Tuesday night when he was stopped.
Officers said Huggins had failed to keep his car inside marked lanes and remained at a light more than 10 seconds after it had turned green.
The arrest report says Huggins had slurred speech, red watery eyes and had a strong alcohol odor.
Huggins allegedly told officers, "Don't do this to me," but he also told them he was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The police report states Huggins could not complete the breath test and failed to follow instructions. He was marked as refusing to take the test.
Huggins told police he had spent the day Tuesday talking to recruits.
UC's new president indicated there won't be a long wait for her reaction.
"People can speculate but our actions will speak for themselves and we'll do that just as soon as possible. We have a great deal of integrity in this institution, both academic and athletic integrity, and you'll see that over time," President Dr. Nancy Zimpher said.
9News found mixed reaction Friday to Huggins DUI charge from UC students.
"If you get arrested and you're caught with your pants down, you get caught with your pants down. As long as the laws aren't bent for him because he's Bob Huggins, I really don't care," said UC student Jerry Winson.
"No, I don't think that will affect his ability as a coach. He's an excellent coach," said Penny Cade.
Eric Ridder, a UC student said he thinks Huggins is a good coach, but had reservations regarding the charges.
"I think that since he works for the university, that his reputation off-campus has to reflect how he is at his job," said Ridder.
The UC athletic department plans to hold a news conference about the Huggins DUI citation Saturday at 10 a.m. The athletic department told 9News they will not comment until then.
While I certainly have no love lost for this guy (in fact, I can't stand him), I'm not so sure I'm crazy about this television station putting the video of his arrest on their website.
Weren't these cameras installed in cop cars to help aid in the prosecution of criminals? What if he decides to go to trial? Good luck finding a jury in Cincy that wouldn't have seen the video.
Just seems creepy to me.
If the tape didn't exist, coach Huggins would probably have got away with DUI once again...
The cops were Xavier fans...
And why is it that the librarians go nuts to protect the privacy of what people check out of their libraries, but the fellow gets his personal difficulties splashed all over the media. I don't think that he deserves the roasting he got over a personal mistake. Send in some librarians to straighten out this mess, I say!
Unfortunately not every coach can be the epitome of class and honor. I'm sure glad we have one in your namesake, though.
No Cincy jury would convict Huggins, just as no Beaver Falls jury would ever convict your beloved JoePa of any crime.
Huggs' indefinite suspension will end today at 4pm, just in time for happy hour at the Montgomery Inn.
"UC coach Bob Huggins suspended" ("indefinitely")
http://www.enquirer.com/midday/06/06122004_News_mday_huggins.html
He's lucky he didn't injure and/or kill someone.
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