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West Virginia Assistant Coach Noel Devine Arrested on Felony Strangulation Charge

The arrest has put the Mountaineers' coaching staff under scrutiny with a preliminary hearing set for Sept. 23.

Overview

  • Less than a day after West Virginia’s 52-7 win over UT Martin, Devine was arrested by Morgantown police and booked Sunday into the North Central Regional Jail on a felony strangulation charge.
  • Court and jail records show he was held on $40,000 bail, entered a not-guilty plea, and faces a preliminary hearing before Magistrate Judge Deanna Lindsay on Sept. 23.
  • Head coach Rich Rodriguez immediately placed Devine on indefinite leave from the Mountaineer football staff pending legal developments.
  • A police complaint reported by local outlets alleges the victim said Devine tracked her phone to a bar, forced her into a vehicle, put his hands around her neck, and caused breathing difficulty, though those allegations remain unproven in court.
  • Devine is a celebrated former WVU running back who joined the staff in 2025, and the case creates reputational and short-term operational challenges for the program as it prepares for upcoming games.