We have ourselves a power conference coaching search in June, with the West Virginia job opening up a year earlier than most expected. Bob Huggins has submitted his resignation after sixteen seasons as the head coach at his alma mater.
Already in hot water – and facing a suspension, salary reduction and contract penalties – for using homophobic slurs during a radio interview last month, Huggins was arrested in Pittsburgh on Friday night for DUI. Details are still trickling out, but a leaked arrest report states that Huggins blew a .210 on the breathalyzer (nearly 3x the legal limit), was unsure how he came to be stopped in the middle of the road and had empty beer cans in his vehicle.
“My recent actions do not represent the values of the University or the leadership expected in this role,” Huggins said in a statement on Saturday evening. “While I have always tried to represent our University with honor, I have let all of you – and myself – down. I am solely responsible for my conduct and sincerely apologize to the University community – particularly to the student-athletes, coaches and staff in our program. I must do better, and I plan to spend the next few months focused on my health and my family so that I can be the person they deserve.”
Huggins went 345-203 during his tenure in Morgantown and has 935 career victories as a Division I and II head coach. He previously coached at Kansas State (2006-07), Cincinnati (1989-2005), Akron (1984-89) and Walsh (1980-83).
We will have our initial list of WVU job candidates posted on Monday.
