Ex-College Football Player Turned OC Arrested In Human Trafficking Sting

Former Austin Peay co-offensive coordinator Patrick Kugler , who played college football at the University of Michigan , was arrested as part of an undercover human trafficking operation, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced in a news release obtained by the New York Post on Friday (August 23).

Kugler, 29, was among six men arrested in relation to an investigation in Montgomery County, Tennessee, which used decoy advertisements to “identify individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors,” according to the news release. Austin Peay's Athletic Department confirmed that it was aware of Kugler's arrest and noted that he resigned from his position on August 18.

“Austin Peay State University is aware of the arrest of former football assistant coach Patrick Kugler, who resigned his position on Sunday, Aug. 18. 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,” APSU’s Athletic Department said via the New York Post .

A URL that previously linked to Kugler's staff page on the APSU athletics website now directs to a 404 error message and his X account appears to have been deleted. Seven potential victims of human trafficking were unconvered in the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's operation.

Kugler was a three-year letterman at Michigan and an All-Big Ten honoree during his senior season, making one start and appearing in five games in 2016.