West Virginia assistant football coach Noel Devine was arrested Sunday on charges of strangulation, suffocation, or asphyxiation causing bodily injury or loss of consciousness, according to a criminal complaint. Devine, 38, was booked at a Greenwood, West Virginia lockup and has since been released on a $40,000 bond.
Alleged Assault Outside Bar
According to the complaint, Devine's girlfriend, identified as 'T.W.', reported being involved in a domestic situation with Devine. T.W. stated that Devine became aggressive when she did not immediately respond to his demands to come outside of Kegler's, a Morgantown bar. She claims Devine then came inside to get her. Outside, T.W. alleges Devine pushed her against his vehicle and proceeded to strangle her in the backseat, causing her difficulty breathing. She also reported being slapped. Friends of T.W. reportedly intervened, allowing her to escape Devine.
A responding officer did not observe visible markings on T.W.'s neck but noted this is not uncommon after such incidents. T.W. reported discomfort around her chin. Security footage from the parking lot has been reviewed by officers.
T.W. also told officers that Devine has previously threatened her life, attempted to choke her, tracked her movements, and expressed jealousy within their approximately one-year relationship.
Hospital Incident and Devine's Background
Following the alleged assault, T.W. sought medical attention at Ruby Memorial Hospital. The complaint states that Devine tracked her location to the hospital and attempted to enter. Hospital staff alerted authorities, who located Devine at a nearby gas station and made the arrest.
West Virginia University placed Devine on leave following his arrest. Devine, once a highly touted recruit mentored by Deion Sanders, played for the Mountaineers from 2007 to 2010. After a brief stint in the Canadian Football League, he returned to WVU in January 2025 as an assistant running backs coach and offensive analyst.
Devine's college career was marked by significant achievements, including 4,315 rushing yards. He went undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft but attended training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles before playing in the CFL. His early life was affected by the loss of both parents to AIDS and the murder of a teenage friend. Sanders reportedly had parental rights to mentor Devine, but an objection from another family member led to a 911 call regarding a potential kidnapping by Sanders.
Devine's legal representatives were not listed on the court website, and he has not responded to requests for comment.