Patrick Kugler, who most recently served as co-offensive coordinator for the Austin Peay State University football team, was taken into police custody this week.
He was arrested as part of a human trafficking investigation.
Kugler has resigned from his assistant coaching position with the Governors.
He was one of six suspects arrested during an undercover operation targeting human trafficking, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The operation began earlier this month.
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An Austin Peay Governors helmet on the sideline during a game between the Chattanooga Mocs and the Austin Peay Governors on September 2, 2021, at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (Charles Mitchell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Investigators placed decoy ads on websites in an effort to “identify individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors,” the agency said in a statement.
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Austin Peay's athletic department said it was “aware” of Kugler's arrest and confirmed he resigned on Aug. 18.
Michigan offensive lineman Patrick Kugler on the sidelines during the second quarter of a game against the Air Force Falcons on Sept. 16, 2017, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Lon Horwedel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“Austin Peay State University is aware of the arrest of former assistant football coach Patrick Kugler, who resigned from his position on Sunday, August 18. The Clarksville Police Department is the lead authority for the arrest and any additional questions should be directed to them. Austin Peay will not be commenting further on the matter,” the university said in a statement.
Kugler's bail was set at $5,000.
Michigan Wolverines offensive lineman Patrick Kugler before a game against the Maryland Terrapins on Nov. 11, 2017, at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Kugler's bio on Austin Peay's website was no longer listed as active by late Friday afternoon. His profile on X, formerly Twitter, also appears to have been deactivated.
Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Kugler was an offensive lineman for Michigan. He appeared in 25 games during his time with the Wolverines.
Kugler's father, Sean Kugler, spent five seasons as UTEP's head coach and was also an assistant coach for several teams, most recently serving as the Arizona Cardinals' offensive line coach until his firing in 2022.
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Sean Kugler was fired amid allegations that he groped a woman while the Cardinals were in Mexico City for a game against the San Francisco 49ers. Kugler hired attorneys to conduct an investigation into the allegation. He spent the 2024 season coaching the offensive line for the UFL's DC Defenders.
Austin Peay finished the 2023 regular season with a 9-3 record. The Governors open their season on August 31 against the Louisville Cardinals.
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