Cardinals assistant Sean Kugler fired in Mexico for allegedly groping woman

The Arizona Cardinals fired run game coordinator and offensive line coach Sean Kugler before the debacle of a 38-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Mexico City, Arizona Sports’ Tyler Drake confirmed Tuesday.

The Arizona Republic’s Bob McManaman was first to report that Kugler was fired after an “incident” in Mexico City on Sunday night. ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss reported Wednesday that sources said Mexican authorities were told Kugler groped a woman, and those authorities then contacted the Cardinals.

Kugler was sent home before the game on Monday Night Football.

The Cardinals hired Kugler before Kingsbury’s first season in 2019, and the assistant was promoted to run game coordinator in June 2021.

Kugler, who Kingsbury had called a “run game savant,” has been an assistant in the NFL with the Detroit Lions (2001-05), Buffalo Bills (2007-09), Pittsburgh Steelers (2010-12) and Denver Broncos (2018).

He was also head coach at UTEP from 2013-17.

Kugler was a favorite among players such as offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum, a veteran left tackle who said he would refuse to play on the right side for anyone but Kugler.

The departure leaves yet another position group without an assistant. Arizona put running backs coach James Saxon on leave and eventually fired him after he was charged with domestic battery in Indiana that dates back to May.

Saxon pled guilty to one count of domestic battery last month.

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