Miami of Ohio coach charged with battery, fan hospitalized

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Miami of Ohio defensive coordinator Jon Wauford was released on bond early Wednesday after he was arrested for allegedly shoving a fan who was celebrating Marshall's last-second win.

Robert A. Flaugher was among thousands of Marshall fans who stormed the field moments after Stan Hill ran for a 1-yard touchdown with 5 seconds left to give the Thundering Herd a 36-34 victory Tuesday night.

Wauford allegedly shoved Flaugher, who then hit his head on the artificial turf and was taken on a stretcher to a hospital with a concussion, according to a report filed by State Police in Huntington.

Flaugher, 36, of Pickerington, Ohio, was in stable condition at St. Mary's Medical Center early Wednesday, said a nursing supervisor who did not want her name released.

"My brother was jumping up and down, celebrating with the Marshall players," Flaugher's brother, Todd, said from the hospital. "He said he was waving goodbye to the Miami players and that one of them threw their mouthpieces at him. He said the next thing he knew, he was in an ambulance."

Robert Flaugher underwent a CT scan and had a "pounding headache," his brother said. "I'm not sure if he's going home tonight."

As of 3:15 a.m., he was still in the hospital waiting for test results.

An ESPN television audience watched the 32-year-old Wauford, a former defensive end in the Canadian Football League, get led off the field in handcuffs by State Police. He was charged with battery, a misdemeanor, and transported to Cabell County Magistrate Court.

Wauford posted bond, but the amount wasn't immediately released.

Mike Harris, sports information director at Miami, would not say early Wednesday morning what action the school might take against Wauford.

"Right now we're just trying to gather all the facts and go from there," Harris said. "We should have a statement sometime later today."

Todd Flaugher, 33, said neither he nor his brother used foul or abusive language toward any Miami players or coaches. The brothers were near the south end zone and were getting ready to exit the stadium.

"It was a sucker punch, basically," Todd Flaugher said. "I saw the follow-through. Two State Police officers were standing about 10 feet away and saw it all."