The Arizona Cardinals have fired offensive line coach/running game coordinator Sean Kugler due to an incident in Mexico City on Sunday, head coach Kliff Kingsbury told the Arizona Republic on Tuesday.
"We relieved him of his duties, and he was sent home Monday morning prior to the game," Kingsbury told Arizona Republic's Bob McManaman. "It's challenging anytime you make a staff change in that type of manner."
The Cardinals were in Mexico City for their Week 11 game against the San Francisco 49ers, which they lost 38-10.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday that Kugler was fired because the team was made aware of an alleged incident involving a woman and Kugler at a hotel the night before the game, per multiple sources.
Mexican authorities are looking into the matter, Rapoport added. The NFL is aware of and is gathering info on the alleged incident, but because Kugler was relieved of his duties, no discipline is expected unless Kugler attempts to return to the league.
Arizona declined to comment further than what Kingsbury said on Tuesday, per Rapoport.
Kugler's departure was addressed in the third episode of Hard Knocks in Season: The Arizona Cardinals, as Kingbury spoke to his team about the incident.
"Some things I want to touch on. First off, obviously a situation in the coaching staff. So, I want to apologize from the coaching staff. Unacceptable. We understand that, it won't happen again," Kingsbury said. "And from this whole group, I'm gonna ask two things moving forward. Make sure moving forward, nobody has to stand in front of the media and answer any questions about dumb s--- off the field, No. 1, and No. 2, effort on the field. Everybody got me? No more, moving forward."
Kugler, 56, had been with the Cardinals since 2019 when he was hired as offensive line coach. Kugler began his NFL coaching career as the Detroit Lions tight ends coach from 2001-2005, and has also been an assistant with the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos.
The offensive line will now be coached by assistant O-line coach Brian Natkin and tight ends coach Steve Heiden.
