Huggins to WVU

[jkwuc89]

From a post on the basketball forum. You can continue this discussion here.

Huggins to West Virginia rumor is growing and growing, could it be, Bob Huggins coaching against Mick Cronin next year at the Shoe? Bob attended Opening Day on Monday and supposedly met with W. Va. on Tuesday for preliminary discussions.

[Catmandu]

It would be pretty interesting, he seems to be pretty happy where he is, and has VERY good recruiting class coming in.

BUT.... he's always been interested in the WVU Job.

If I were betting, I would say he stays at Kansas State. Why? He tends to lean to the loyal side. That said, I'm certain he has a WVU clause in his contract, so it wouldn't be like he was being totally unloyal.

Should be interesting.

[Texcat]

It would be pretty interesting, he seems to be pretty happy where he is, and has VERY good recruiting class coming in.

BUT.... he's always been interested in the WVU Job.

If I were betting, I would say he stays at Kansas State. Why? He tends to lean to the loyal side. That said, I'm certain he has a WVU clause in his contract, so it wouldn't be like he was being totally unloyal.

Should be interesting.

It seems to me that Bob Huggins has already brought a level of success and respect to KSU that they haven't enjoyed in basketball for a very long time. He's also an excellent recruiter with an excellent class arriving and more in the future.

Huggins and KSU got 'screwed' out of an NCAA tournament bid this year (probably because Huggins is the coach) when they truly deserved it. That being said.....Huggins is also one of the lowest paid coaches in the Big 12. Texas A&M is raising the price for Big 12 coaches to a whopping $2 million per year offer. Huggins knocks down about $850 grand.

You can do the math......but I can't see WVU offering Huggins anything close to what he can make at KSU in the next couple of years. The prospect of Huggins in the Big East is enticing though!

[jeffto]

I do think it's Huggins' dream job. If he in fact met with them, I believe he's going (if they truly want him).

I'm wondering how it impacts players. Walker? Any of our potential recruits?

I'm assuming Beasley and Mayo are one and done, so they are probably not in the picture.

[MikeInClifton]

I'm wondering how it impacts players. Walker? Any of our potential recruits?

I'm assuming Beasley and Mayo are one and done, so they are probably not in the picture.

It would impact Walker significantly. Others, like Bennett, not so much.

[jeffto]

I'm thinking he's stuck at KSU. I bet he planned on playing next year and then going pro.

[mikedenman]

Did I miss something? Did Beilein leave end up at Michigan?

[MicksTheGuy]

For all of you who were sad when Huggs moved to KSU think about this. If Huggs was still here and the WV job was still open how many of you think he would have jumped ship to WV? Would Cronin still be around to get? Who else would we be able to get as coach right now? I think it worked out great for AK because he would not have the Ole Miss job.

[subflea]

I think it worked out OK the way it all fell. I still wish it had not happened the way it did, but I am pleased with where all the coaches ended up.

[jkwuc89]

Beilein is now at Michigan. According to Fox Sports (http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/6644620?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=99), Huggins is considering the WVU job. Dustin Dow on his blog (http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/ncaa/2007/04/huggins-on-move.asp) comments on the same thing.

[jon b]

This morning's news is that he cancelled a rally in his honor at KSt yesterday and met with the AD last night. I have mixed feelings. Usually I would be all over someone leaving after one year, but this is not about money. It is his alma mater. How much do you give the guy for the emotional attachment? It has to be tough. Imagine if you love Cincinnati (or wherever) and go away for a year and then have a chance to come back. It would be tough for me to not come back.

I don't think he ever saw WVU as a possibility again. And now he realizes this truly would be his last chance. I think he is gone.

[qsilvr2531]

It worked out OK, but we wouldn't have taken a year and a half pass on recruiting if Huggins had never been forced out, so we'd probably be in better shape as a team if he decided to jump ship at this point. We'd still need to find a coach, and maybe Cronin wouldn't be an option (then again, maybe he still would be, it's tough to say). AK definately benefitted the most from the way things played out.

[qsilvr2531]

Huggins has alot of reputation problems, but loyalty was one thing almost no one could criticize him for. If he leaves KState after one year I think that goes away. I imagine it's a tough decision for him, but ifhe spent his year off convincing high school kids to follow him wherever he goes, got them to go to the middle of nowhere Kansas, and then leaves for his dream job that's pretty tough to take. If it isn't Huggins I think alot more people around here would have a problem with this move (ok, most of them probably wouldn't care if it weren't Huggins).

[ralph1950]

Amazing, Huggins coaching West Virginia at the Shoe next season!

This morning's news is that he cancelled a rally in his honor at KSt yesterday and met with the AD last night. I have mixed feelings. Usually I would be all over someone leaving after one year, but this is not about money. It is his alma mater. How much do you give the guy for the emotional attachment? It has to be tough. Imagine if you love Cincinnati (or wherever) and go away for a year and then have a chance to come back. It would be tough for me to not come back.

I don't think he ever saw WVU as a possibility again. And now he realizes this truly would be his last chance. I think he is gone.

[Bryan]

For all of you who were sad when Huggs moved to KSU think about this. If Huggs was still here and the WV job was still open how many of you think he would have jumped ship to WV? Would Cronin still be around to get? Who else would we be able to get as coach right now? I think it worked out great for AK because he would not have the Ole Miss job.

I don't think he would have because:

A. He turned them down once before.
B. He would have Walker and maybe Mayo on the squad.

I like Cronin, he is a good hire, but:

A. Chances are he would still be there (its only been one year).
B. He has stated that this is his dream job, chances are he could be lured.
C. Andy should have been (last year), and could have been (in your scenario) a great option.

Finally, I think the overall situation for Bearcat basketball would have been better under the scenario you propose than the way it all fell.

[Bryan]

Huggins has alot of reputation problems, but loyalty was one thing almost no one could criticize him for. If he leaves KState after one year I think that goes away. I imagine it's a tough decision for him, but ifhe spent his year off convincing high school kids to follow him wherever he goes, got them to go to the middle of nowhere Kansas, and then leaves for his dream job that's pretty tough to take. If it isn't Huggins I think alot more people around here would have a problem with this move (ok, most of them probably wouldn't care if it weren't Huggins).

I see your point, but the fact that it his Alma Mater messes things up. I am sure it is not a slam dunk decision either way for him.

[Wardboyz]

No question it will impact our regional recruiting efforts ....if guys were considering going somewhat far away for Huggins/ KSU/ Big 12 - they'll definitely give a closer Huggins/ WVU/ Big East more consideration.

[MicksTheGuy]

It could have been better but it would have been a mess. I feel pretty confident that Huggs would have jumped ship. He and Nancy just don't get along. However, with one good season and with no problems maybe he gets a new contract from UC. I doubt that though and with his limited contract he might not get some of the players he did get to K-State.

I hope he stays with K-State so all of the bandwagon jumpers didn't waste money on that ugly K-State stuff. I just think it would be the best thiing for him to do. He needs to be at a school that loves him and that is lower key. I don't think anymore stress is good for him. The Big 12 should give him everything he needs to recruit.

It should be very interesting if he takes that job and what happens with Beasly, Walker and Bennent (sp?).

[General Woundwort]

If Huggins jumps to WVU (which I do not believe he will) he will be bringing Beasley with him. I can't imagine it working out any other way. That said, bolting KSU after one year would be a pretty low-class move. I just don't see him being that disloyal.

[Thegreatone]

Bob Huggins is the new coach at WVU. Not sure what this means for the recruits.

[shaunsimpson]

Marty announced it during the Reds game.

[Justin Register]

Well I guess everyone can throw away their purple shirts! So will certain people out there now root for WVU all the time, a Big East competitor?

[Justin Register]

What about everyone with a purple shirt in Cincy???? WIll they wear yellow and blue now???

[L.Baker]

The Kansas State head coach, who took over the program a year ago, has reached a tentative agreement to coach the Mountaineers, according to sources close to the situation.

Huggins is expected to get on a plane and fly to Morgantown later today. A news conference is slated for Friday.

Huggins met with representatives from West Virginia in Ohio in the past few days — after John Beilein left for Michigan. He returned to Manhattan on Wednesday night and reached the decision to leave Kansas State for West Virginia. He then met with the president and athletic director at Kansas State and while he was torn with the decision, he has decided to return home.

From FOXSports.com.

[Killick]

Great. Now that he's in the BIG EAST, the pro-Huggy, "(sigh) I miss the good old days" crowd will never let it go. Looking forward to Mick vs. Bob I.

[jkwuc89]

The K-State Basketball Message Board (http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?S=173#S=173&F=2671) on scout.com is heating up quite a bit with regards to Huggins leaving. Most are not too happy.

[shaunsimpson]

A few questions:
Did Mayo sign his LOI at USC yet?
Can Beasley and others be let out of their LOI without penalty?
What do all of the WVU fans whinning about Mick's yelling and screaming at the WVU @ UC game this year going to say now?

[shaunsimpson]

Keith - can you merge with other topic or delete this thread?

[ralph1950]

Good-bye to Huggieville, Welcome to Morgantown!

[jkwuc89]

All of the Huggins to WVU threads have been merged into this one.

[qsilvr2531]

I think KSU can let them out of their LOI's but not let them go to specific schools. If so, I highly doubt they let them follow Huggins, and I could be totally wrong on how it all works.

Really, this move makes Huggins look very bad. I get that it's his dream job and I get that this is how college basketball works, but man everybody talks about Huggins like loyalty is #1 and this certainly doesn't help that point. It probably won't hurt Huggins as a coach or recruiter, but I have to think alot of people in Manhattan Kansas have changed their opinon on him and at least a few people in Cincinnati probably will as well.

[jon b]

The K-State Basketball Message Board (http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?S=173#S=173&F=2671) on scout.com is heating up quite a bit with regards to Huggins leaving. Most are not too happy.

I read a few posts. What is funny is all the other teams in the conference who were talking so bad about Huggins when KSU hired him, are now saying too bad, we wnated him to stay for our conference, etc. Too funny. :rolleyes:

[shaunsimpson]

Walker to go pro????

Thank god this didn't happen during the email forum.....I don't know if our email server could have handled it.

[General Woundwort]

Wow. I am stunned that he is that disloyal. I don't buy the "dream job" excuse at all, considering he had already turned down the job in the past. Really a low class move.

[Thegreatone]

Tell me your kidding. This is such a chance for him to go back to his home. He was their for 1 year not 10. How is this disloyal? If I was coaching at Fairfield and had a shot to go to my alma matre Moeller there is no way I wouldnt take it. It is the same thing with him. How can you blame the guy for going home? Come on, this is just a chance for Huggins haters to jump his case about something. He is going home, when he turned it down it was becasue he wanted to stay in Cincinnati where he totally rebuilt us. We were going to the Big East, now he is leaving K-State before he gets any real strong ties.

[Catmandu]

Wow. I am stunned that he is that disloyal. I don't buy the "dream job" excuse at all, considering he had already turned down the job in the past. Really a low class move.

Whatever, he'd seen what loyalty did for him in the past.

I bet he had a WVU clause within his agreement, that he exercised that option, one that KSU knew they were getting when they signed him. Neither party were counting on it being this soon. Huggins coudln't risk wondering if they would ask a 3rd time. He's ready to take his career to the school he'll retire from(It was UC).

[shaunsimpson]

I don't know what is better on the KState boards right now:
- The names of coaches being thrown around (Ben Hawland from UCLA is one)
- How many people think that Manhattan, Kansas is so much better than Morgontown, WVU
- How this really seemed to catch them off guard.
or
- How they think that these top ranked kids will play for a coach at KSU instead of going to Europe, transfer or NBDL

[jkwuc89]

Kansas State has officially announced (http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=849635) Huggins' resignation so that he can accept the WVU coaching position.

[DimitriusChristedes]

Good for Bob. He once had the choice of UC or WVU and he chose UC. Since Huggins at UC is not likely to work out again, he's in the best place he can hope to be. And we have yet another yearly rival game to look forward to.

To me it comes down to this - huggins is paid to do a job. If you got a job today at gold star and next week skyline offered to double your salary, you would go. Especially if you thought their chili tasted better, and you had grown up on the stuff. Wouldn't really matter if the Gold star people thought you assembled a mean three way.
yeah, I'm hungry.

[shaunsimpson]

Anyone find the irony in the Kansas State Scout message board. They have a "got huggy?" icon.

Anyway some quotes from their press conference (taken from KSU board so take that into account when evaluating the accuracy):
"He said he knew it wasn't right to leave, but chose to anyway."
"We said we would of matched any $ figure WVU would have thrown at him."
"West Virginia would never love you as much as the fans and staff at KSU."
"We said to him the timing is not right. THis is not fair to the University."

Also, sounds a little shady - I think this is mandated to anyone under contract, but maybe not:
When did West Virgina speak with you about contacting Bob Huggins?
KSU AD-I'm not going to comment on that.


The KSU AD also said that they will not be releasing the players from their LOIs as of now. He implied that they would revisit that when they get a new head coach. I think they are nuts to ruin their next couple of years becuase a coach left. It may be selfish and not in the kids best interest, but sometimes you have to hold the kids to their commitment.

[jplog]

I don't get a good feeling with Huggs coming into the Big East. I really hope this doesn't damage our recruiting around here. Mick definately will have his work cut out for him. I do believe Mick will establish himself as a better game coach and therefore gain an edge against Huggins eventually. However, with the big name recognition that Huggs has it could really effect some important recruits both now and in the immediate future.

[jkwuc89]

This is quite revealing and honestly, I cannot disagree with his sentiment. It is quite clear that Huggins did not have a clause in his KSU contract regarding WVU. I think Huggins is going to take a lot of heat for this decision especially if he poaches the recruits currently committed to KSU.

“I have been here for a long time, as you know. This is a very sad day for me and for Kansas State. Tim, Bob, and I met with Bob last night for a couple of hours. I can tell you that there is no question that we did not ask, there is no issue that we did not put on the table, and I think you should know that we moved heaven and earth to keep Bob Huggins here. Time in effect said, you tell us what your salary should be? Whatever West Virginia is offering, we will match it, and then some, same way for the assistant coaches. You have to know that there was nothing that we wouldn’t do to keep Bob Huggins here. I said to Coach Huggins, you have been here for one year, the timing is not right. One year is not enough. If Bob had indicated to us about a year ago this time that he needed something in his contract about his alma mater then we would have gone on, we would have looked at somebody else. There is no way that we would have hired Coach Huggins if he had said that if the West Virginia job opens then I have to go there. That never came up. We all like Coach Huggins as much as you do, the job he did here last year was brilliant. With mainly players from last year we won 23 games, finished fourth in the Big 12. We have a number-one recruiting class coming in for 07-08, and the sky is the limit. I said to Coach Huggins, they are never going to love you at West Virginia like we do here. You will never be more beloved if you are there 100 years than you are at Kansas State right now, after one year. I told Coach Huggins, you have to do what you have to do, but you have created a magic and an aura around K-State basketball that we have not had here in years and years. I asked him, are you sure that you can duplicate that anywhere else? It wasn’t like we were arguing, or that it got vindictive or anything like that. We just over and over again, from three different prospectives said Bob, this is the place for you. We are not saying that you have to stay her forever, but the timing is just not right. So I basically said that this is not fair. This is not fair to the players, to the program, to the university, to our fans. So I told him that you have to do the right thing, which means you have to stay. Maybe a heavyweight championship fight would be a good metaphor, we feel like we are heavyweight contenders here at K-State. It is kind of like we are in the ring and we are doing very well, then we get hit with a right cross and knocked out. That is the way I feel right now. We got knocked out, not knocked down, knocked out. But then on the other hand I am an optimist, in life sometimes things are not fair. Sometimes things don’t turn out the way you want them to. We have dreams for ourselves and our university, sometimes they turn out to be true, sometimes they don’t work out. I am not a quitter. I am so disappointed, I am heartbroken. But I don’t give up. When one door closes, another one opens up. We will do our best job to keep this basketball team on an even-keel, and to keep it moving onward and upward. That is a commitment from the three of us.”

[SLMadiCat]

Wow. I really think this screws Walker, Beasley and Bennett. Even I am surprised Huggins did this. Not too many schools were willing to give Huggins a chance last year, KSU did, and got screwed for it.

As for Mayo, I'm not sure he would want out of his LOI. He wanted to go to Southern Cal. If he really wanted to play for Huggins he would have went to KSU since he was only going to be there one year anyway. I don't think there is too much diff. between Manhattan, KS and Morgantown.

SLM

[MikeInClifton]

Wow. I really think this screws Walker, Beasley and Bennett. Even I am surprised Huggins did this. Not too many schools were willing to give Huggins a chance last year, KSU did, and got screwed for it.

I think Beasley will follow Dalonte Hill, just like he did the first time.

[SLMadiCat]

I think Beasley will follow Dalonte Hill, just like he did the first time.

Just like he did the first and second time, right? If I'm not mistaken I thought he followed him to Charlotte and then to KSU.

[MicksTheGuy]

I always thought if Bob had one really strong point it was his loyalty. After rejecting so many jobs while at UC I thought he was one of the most loyal guys in the buisness. I am shocked he would up and leave KSU like that. The more I learn about Huggy Bear the more I am glad he is gone. No doubt about it that the Nazi is evil but Huggs just seems to find more ways to disappoint. I predict he gets fired with in 5 years for something stupid. Feel free to write that one down and call me on it.

[shaunsimpson]

Mike - If KSU grants the release. If they do not then it could be Europe or the NBDL. I understand that they are supposed to, but it would leave their program with few recruits coming in.

[Thegreatone]

It was his dream job, he turned it down when he was in the middle of something special here. I dont blame the guy for wanting to go home. Seriously 1 year doesnt mean your breaking away serious ties. I think any one would want to go home to work.

[juckerrules]

If Huggins jumps to WVU (which I do not believe he will) he will be bringing Beasley with him. I can't imagine it working out any other way. That said, bolting KSU after one year would be a pretty low-class move. I just don't see him being that disloyal.

Better look again!

[mlb]

I feel for everyone associated with K-State, but at the same time if I had the option to go back to the place where my heart was to end my career I'd have issues turning it down as well.

[MikeInClifton]

Mike - If KSU grants the release. If they do not then it could be Europe or the NBDL. I understand that they are supposed to, but it would leave their program with few recruits coming in.

Its pretty common now to release recruits when a coach leaves. The program is always worried about being viewed as inflexible. If that happens, the program (in this case, KState) wouldn't get any recruits, because players know that they would be 'stuck' there if a coach leaves.

[Catmandu]

I always thought if Bob had one really strong point it was his loyalty. After rejecting so many jobs while at UC I thought he was one of the most loyal guys in the buisness. I am shocked he would up and leave KSU like that. The more I learn about Huggy Bear the more I am glad he is gone. No doubt about it that the Nazi is evil but Huggs just seems to find more ways to disappoint. I predict he gets fired with in 5 years for something stupid. Feel free to write that one down and call me on it.

Yeah, but look what his "loyalty" got him.

He couldn't turn down WVU twice. I don't blame him, He gave KSU 100% while he was there, but KSI is NOT WVU, and the Big 12 is NOT the BIG EAST, KSU is NOT his alma matta

I don't blame him, it is sad for KSU, if anyone thinks he "Planned" this their crazy, I'm sure no one thought the WVU job would open this early.

[bearcat69]

Well, as I said on another forum in response to a WVU quiry: lock up the ladies and the liquor Bobs' coming home. This is going to be fun!

[MikeInClifton]

Its pretty common now to release recruits when a coach leaves. The program is always worried about being viewed as inflexible. If that happens, the program (in this case, KState) wouldn't get any recruits, because players know that they would be 'stuck' there if a coach leaves.

To follow up my own note, I did find this (http://nbadraft.net/rabinowitz008.asp) dated late yesterday.

"Our policy as a department is that we don’t grant releases. We invest a lot in recruitment, training, scholarshiping and boarding of our student athletes, and for us to grant releases is something that we would have to be convinced is in the best interest of both the university and the student athlete." - Tim Weiser, KSU AD

[jonimp9]

I wonder what all of those people who bought KSU gear are going to do now?

[ralph1950]

According to Fox Sports, Huggins did not turn down West Virginia 4 years ago, he was never offered the job because the University of West Virginia President did not want his bad reputation. He is being offered now because a new President is being hired. So what we were lead to believe 4 years ago as Bob staying was in reality Bob not being able to go because the W. VA. President turned him down.

It was his dream job, he turned it down when he was in the middle of something special here. I dont blame the guy for wanting to go home. Seriously 1 year doesnt mean your breaking away serious ties. I think any one would want to go home to work.

[jon b]

According to Fox Sports, Huggins did not turn down West Virginia 4 years ago, he was never offered the job because the University of West Virginia President did not want his bad reputation. He is being offered now because a new President is being hired. So what we were lead to believe 4 years ago as Bob staying was in reality Bob not being able to go because the W. VA. President turned him down.


Cool, so he was offered the job if FoxSports said otherwise. :)

[ralph1950]

from the Fox Sports article:

"Huggins was passed over the last time the job opened, partially because West Virginia president David Hardesty Jr., was not a Huggins supporter. Hardesty is retiring in September and does not have much — if anything at all — to do with the hiring this time around."

[mlb]

I find it hard to believe the rumors he was not offered the job. Why would Hardesty (WVU's president) fly into Cincinnati multiple times (which he did) if he hadn't offered the job to Huggins? I personally think WVU fans put a lot of those rumors out about not being offered the job because they lost out to a school that wasn't in the Big 6 conferences and couldn't bring home an alum to coach their team.

[mlb]

from the Fox Sports article:

"Huggins was passed over the last time the job opened, partially because West Virginia president David Hardesty Jr., was not a Huggins supporter. Hardesty is retiring in September and does not have much — if anything at all — to do with the hiring this time around."

I read the same thing earlier in the week on a WVU board, before Fox Sports had picked up the story. It was almost word for word. As I just said, I'm not sold he wasn't offered their job. I wouldn't be surprised if the author read the same thing and just assumed it was true.

[jon b]

This is in contradiction to what Lonnie Wheeler just wrote and nearly every story from the time. He was offered the job and Fox Sports doesn't have a clue. MHO.

[ralph1950]

There is no reason for the Fox Sports reporter to not be telling the truth, he could have left any reference to 4 years ago out of his story, the reporter is unbiased, therefore, IMHO, is probably telling it like it is. And it makes sense, Brad Johanson, Mike DeCourcy, Andy Katz, et. al., all stated Huggins had accepted the West Virginia job 4 years ago, based on sources close to Huggins. Apparently, he had told all of his close friends he was going to Morgantown, only to have his decision vetoed by President Hardisty of WVU.

This is in contradiction to what Lonnie Wheeler just wrote and nearly every story from the time. He was offered the job and Fox Sports doesn't have a clue. MHO.

[jon b]

but as Mick said, what was FoxSports source? It contradicts nearly everything that came out at the time. When the story broke that he decided to trun WVU down the first time, no one at the time contradicted it. Typically the school or entity (WVU in this case) would have stated at the time that the job was never offered. ANd how do you not know that the reporter has no bias? Many in the national media have a bias against Huggins for good or bad reasons.

We are going to have to agree to disagree here because nothing you have presented is even remotely in the change my mind ballpark.

[bearcatmark]

Exactly... WVU clearly offered Huggins the job the first time. After Huggins turned them down it was a fiasco finding a coach. They thought they had Huggins. Another guy turned them down, finally Beilein came to the rescue in what was a pretty embarrassing situation. Two coaches had turned them down after all indications were they had the job(one coach was even announced as head coach). WVU would have clearly said, "No we never offered Huggins the job." if that was in fact the case. It would have saved them some embarrassment

[ralph1950]

All I can state is that the story about WVU President Hardisty turning down Huggins 4 years ago makes complete sense when Andy Katz, Mike DeCourcy, Brad Johanson, et. al., report Huggins is the new coach at WVU and then they all have to back track. It is obvious that Huggins was telling his closest friends that he was going to Morgantown 4 years ago, ergo the Katz, et al reports that he had accepted the job. What happened? More than likely President Hardisty said no.

[Bartman]

Originally posted by ralph1950
What happened?

Maybe Huggins changed his mind...

[CroninCrazy]

Does anyone else think that the way Zimpher runs UC right now, that even if Huggs would have stayed and not been fired, that he would have just left UC for the WVU job?

[Brian H.]

According to CBS sportsline Kstate is considering making Frank Martin the new coach.

http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/10112178/rss


I think this would be great for all parties involved. It even looks good for UC since it would maybe keep some players at K-State that UC won't have to face, another former UC assistant a head coach at a major university, wins all around.

[MikeInClifton]

- From an old BearcatNews.com article.

Gale Catlett retired in Feb 2002 from WVU. Huggins was rumored to be taking the job, but turned it down. The new coach was Bowling Green's Dan Dakich, but he left WVU after six days when he discovered a possible pre-existing NCAA violation. There were rumors that Huggins was also aware of the violations, but chose not to mention them publicly.

Later that year, in November, guard Jonathan Hargett left the team after acknowledging he was the target of a school investigation that reportedly found that an unnamed player and his mother were paid by someone outside the program.

[Thegreatone]

Wow, I was watching Outside the Lines and the reporter on that show thought it was diguisting that Huggins would leave a program after one year. I am missing something, I know I am. I don't see the problem with wanting to go home. I would, maybe that means I don't have character but if I had the chance I could not refuse.

[MikeInClifton]

Bill Walker not following Huggins. (http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070406/SPT01/304060069)


“I have an obligation to fulfill with Kansas State and I’m prepared to go back,” Walker said, in a telephone interview with The Enquirer. “It’s not worth transferring and having to sit out a year.”

[Doc Brock]

With Martin taking over at K-State, and Hill staying with him, does Huggins even have any other assistant coaches? This domino effect could be interesting because now assistant coaches could begin to jump around. This is huge in recruiting circles.

What's Corie Blount's status?

[CroninCrazy]

I saw C.Blount at UC the other day, so I guess he might be trying to finish his degree.

[MikeInClifton]

I saw C.Blount at UC the other day, so I guess he might be trying to finish his degree.

He is. He has been enrolled for some time now.

[Catmandu]

All I can state is that the story about WVU President Hardisty turning down Huggins 4 years ago makes complete sense when Andy Katz, Mike DeCourcy, Brad Johanson, et. al., report Huggins is the new coach at WVU and then they all have to back track. It is obvious that Huggins was telling his closest friends that he was going to Morgantown 4 years ago, ergo the Katz, et al reports that he had accepted the job. What happened? More than likely President Hardisty said no.

Your own posts answers your question...
Andy, Mike, and Brad were all reporting it because it WAS offered to him... as MikeinClifton pointed out, what changed his mind was he couldn't go in there with the NCAA investigation hanging over them. He didn't want to go through what he had to when he start here at UC(limited recruiting etc)

there is no doubt he was offered the WVU job and turned them down.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

http://wvgazette.com/section/Sports/2007050519

Covers the good and the bad. Pretty good read.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

With Martin taking over at K-State, and Hill staying with him, does Huggins even have any other assistant coaches? This domino effect could be interesting because now assistant coaches could begin to jump around. This is huge in recruiting circles.

What's Corie Blount's status?

Erik Martin for one. And he named another one last week (forget the name).