Arizona Cardinals offensive line coach and running game coordinator Sean Kugler was fired after he allegedly groped a woman on Sunday night while the team was in Mexico City for a game against the San Francisco 49ers, according to ESPN.
Mexican authorities informed the Cardinals of the incident and Kugler was terminated by the team. He was not present for Arizona’s 38-10 loss to San Francisco at Estadio Azteca.
“We relieved him of his duties, and he was sent home Monday morning prior to the game,” coach Kliff Kingsbury told the Arizona Republic’s, Bob McManaman. “It’s challenging any time you make a staff change in that type of manner.”
Further details about the matter were not disclosed. The Cardinals and Kugler have not yet addressed the situation publicly.
Cardinals offensive line coach Sean Kugler fist-bumps Rodney Hudson #61 after a play during a game against the Rams at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 3, 2021. Getty Images
Sean Kugler coached the Cardinals during training camp in 2019. Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesPrior to joining Kingsbury’s staff in 2019, Kugler coached with the Lions, Bills, Steelers, and Broncos. The 56-year-old also coached at the college and high school levels.
Cardinals assistant offensive line coach Brian Natkin and tight ends coach Steve Heiden will take over Kugler’s duties.
Kugler is the second Cardinals assistant coach to be accused of assaulting a woman this year.
Sean Kugler poses for his 2009 NFL headshot at photo day with the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, New York. NFLIn August, former running backs coach James Saxon was placed on administrative leave after news broke that he had been charged with assaulting a woman in her Indianapolis home in May. Saxon was given one year of probation, and he resigned in October.
The Cardinals host the Chargers on Sunday.
