This is very true but in a game that is dominated by African American young males from the America's inner city it could come off wrong. He could have ment black person or he could ment what you said. It was just a poor choice of words and with recent comments by a certain Clippers owner has only compounded that.
Best believe other SEC coaches will use that against us in recruiting. I don't believe he meant black people at all though he has no background in being a racist so nothing leads me to think otherwise. He just has to watch how he words things.
Of course he didn't mean black people specifically when he said it. As you noted, the game is dominated by blacks, so if it is true that thug means black, saying you won't recruit "thugs" would really limit your choices recruiting/wise. Would have to fill your roster with a bunch of Marshall Henderson-types. Oh wait!