Austin Peay offensive line coach Patrick Kugler has resigned after he was arrested during a human trafficking investigation, the school said in a statement.
Kugler, who also served as co-offensive coordinator, is a former Michigan offensive lineman. He charged with one count of trafficking for sexual servitude.
"Austin Peay State University is aware of the arrest of former football assistant coach Patrick Kugler, who resigned his position on Sunday, Aug. 18," APSU said in a statement to the Leaf-Chronicle. "The Clarksville Police Department are the lead authorities for the arrest and any additional questions should be directed to them. Austin Peay will have no further comments on the matter."
"His arrest came as part of an undercover operation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation that focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors, according to a TBI announcement. Officers placed decoy advertisements on known websites known to be linked to commercial sex. The sting netted six arrests.
"Kugler's bond was set at $5,000. In Tennessee, trafficking for sexual servitude is considered a Class B felony. It's defined by state as when a person 'knowingly subjects or maintains another in sexual servitude or knowingly recruits, entices, harbors, transports, provides or obtains by any means another person for the purpose of sexual servitude.'"
Austin Peay is set to open the season on Saturday, August 31 at Louisville.
