Legendary basketball coach Bob Huggins has resigned from his position as head coach of West Virginia University’s men’s basketball team after being arrested for driving under the influence. Huggins expressed remorse for his actions and plans to prioritize his health and family in the coming months.
Embattled coach Bob Huggins has made the difficult decision to resign from his position as the men’s head basketball coach at West Virginia University. This follows his recent arrest and charge for driving under the influence in Pittsburgh. In a heartfelt statement released on Saturday, Huggins expressed deep remorse for his actions, acknowledging that they did not align with the values expected of him in his role.
Taking full responsibility for his conduct, Huggins sincerely apologized to the university community, especially the student-athletes, coaches, and staff in the program. He recognized the need for personal growth and pledged to dedicate the next few months to focusing on his health and family, striving to become the person they deserve.
According to the Pittsburgh Police, the incident occurred on Friday evening when officers noticed a black SUV blocking traffic with its driver’s door open. The car had a flat and torn tire. Huggins, identified as Robert Huggins of Morgantown, West Virginia, was asked to move the vehicle off the road but experienced difficulty in doing so. Suspecting intoxication, the police conducted standard field sobriety tests, which Huggins failed. Consequently, he was placed under custody and later transported for further testing.
Subsequent reports revealed that Huggins had a blood alcohol level of 0.21%, nearly three times the legal limit in Pennsylvania. Following his release, a preliminary hearing will be scheduled to address the charges.
University President E. Gordon Gee and Vice President/Director of Athletics Wren Baker expressed their support for Huggins’ decision to retire, accepting his resignation in light of recent events. While the university has not yet named a replacement, the focus will be on providing support to the student-athletes and ensuring stable leadership for the men’s basketball program.
Huggins was disciplined last month for using a homophobic slur during a radio appearance, which was an unfortunate event. He was fined $1 million each year, suspended for three games, and ordered to go through sensitivity training. His multiyear arrangement was changed to a year-to-year agreement. Huggins immediately apologized and stated that there was no reason for his cruel comments.
It is worth mentioning that this is not Huggins’ first run-in with the law for driving under the influence. In 2004, while serving as the head coach of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats, he was arrested for DUI and pleaded no contest, resulting in a two-month suspension from the school.
Throughout his illustrious coaching career spanning 41 seasons, Huggins achieved significant milestones. With a total of 935 victories, he ranks as the third-winningest Division I head coach in college basketball history. During his tenure at West Virginia, Huggins led the men’s program to 345 wins and 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, including five NCAA Sweet 16s and a Final Four in 2010.
Before joining West Virginia, Huggins held head coaching positions at the University of Akron, the University of Cincinnati, and Kansas State University. His remarkable contributions to the sport were recognized when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.
While Bob Huggins’ resignation marks the end of an era for West Virginia’s men’s basketball program, the university is determined to move forward. Efforts will be focused on supporting the student-athletes, finding a new coach, and solidifying the program’s leadership. The priority remains providing a conducive environment for the team’s success and upholding the values of the university.
