West Virginia football legend arrested on felony strangulation charge
West Virginia assistant football coach Noel Devine has been arrested on a felony strangulation charge, according to jail records.
Devine, 38, was arrested Sunday by Morgantown police and booked into the North Central Regional Jail. A not guilty plea was entered and he was ordered held on $40,000 bail.
Court records did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the arrest. Jail records also did not indicate whether Devine has an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez announced Sunday night that Devine had been placed on leave from the team following his arrest.
“Upon receiving information of the arrest, I have immediately and indefinitely put Noel Devine on leave from the Mountaineer football coaching staff. Any future decision on his status will be determined after more information becomes available,” Rodriguez said.
Devine is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on September 23.
The former West Virginia running back was a three-year starter for the Mountaineers and recorded 19 100-yard rushing games during his college career. He also amassed more than 1,000 all-purpose yards in each of his four seasons from 2007 to 2010.
Rodriguez returned to West Virginia in 2025 as an offensive analyst and assistant running backs coach.
The Mountaineers are 2-0 this season after beating UT Martin 52-7 in Morgantown on Saturday. They are scheduled to face No. 25 Virginia in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday night.
