JUST ANNOUNCED: West Virginia Football Head Coach Arrested, Cautioned Over Controversial Gesture During Signing…

JUST ANNOUNCED: West Virginia Football Head Coach Arrested, Cautioned Over Controversial Gesture During Signing…

 

Morgantown, WV – June 7, 2025

In a surprising turn of events, the head coach of West Virginia University’s football team, Coach Derrick Simmons, was arrested and later formally cautioned after making a religious gesture—known as “Dua”—while signing an official document earlier this week. The incident, which unfolded in a highly publicized setting, has sparked a broader debate over religious freedom, cultural misunderstandings, and public conduct within collegiate athletics.

The controversy began during a signing ceremony for a new five-year contract extension for Coach Simmons. Witnesses report that, moments before putting pen to paper, Simmons raised his hands in a brief gesture of prayer—commonly referred to in Islamic tradition as making “Dua”—before signing the agreement. The gesture, while lasting only a few seconds, was caught on live camera and quickly went viral across social media platforms.

Shortly afterward, law enforcement officials arrived at the WVU athletics department office, acting on what is now being described as a “miscommunication” regarding the nature of the gesture. Coach Simmons was detained for questioning and released later that day without formal charges. However, local authorities issued a caution, citing public disturbance and “potential religiously charged signaling in an official state-supported institution.”

The university released a brief statement Friday morning:

“West Virginia University is aware of the incident involving Head Football Coach Derrick Simmons. We respect the diverse cultural and religious expressions of all our staff and students. We are cooperating fully with the authorities to resolve the matter.”

Coach Simmons, who converted to Islam in 2018, is widely respected in collegiate football for his leadership and mentorship. His legal team has already pushed back against the arrest and caution, calling the incident a violation of his First Amendment rights.

“This was not a political act, not a protest, and certainly not a criminal offense,” said attorney Rachel Munroe. “Coach Simmons merely offered a brief moment of personal prayer before signing a contract. To suggest that this warranted arrest is both absurd and unconstitutional.”

Civil rights groups, including the ACLU and CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations), have since issued statements condemning the response of law enforcement. Social media has erupted with hashtags like #LetCoachPray and #ReligiousFreedom, while protests and rallies have begun forming in support of Simmons.

As the college football community awaits further clarity, questions remain about the role of religious expression in public institutions, especially in the context of college sports. WVU’s administration has promised an internal review, while several state legislators have called for public hearings.

For now, Coach Simmons remains free and continues to fulfill his duties as head coach, leading the Mountaineers through their offseason training camp.