Bob Huggins, the head coach of the West Virginia University men’s basketball team, has resigned following a drunken driving arrest that occurred within hours of the team’s loss to Texas Tech on January 8th, 2022. The news has shocked the college basketball world, as Huggins has been one of the most successful coaches in the sport over the past few decades.
Huggins, who is 68 years old, has been the head coach at West Virginia since 2007. Prior to that, he had successful stints at Cincinnati and Kansas State. He has won over 900 games in his career and has taken his teams to 23 NCAA Tournaments, including two Final Fours. He is also a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
The news of Huggins’ resignation came as a surprise to many, as he had previously stated that he planned to coach for several more years. However, the events of January 8th changed everything. According to reports, Huggins was pulled over by police in Morgantown, West Virginia, just hours after his team’s loss to Texas Tech. He was arrested for driving under the influence and was taken to a local hospital for a blood alcohol test.
The news of Huggins’ arrest quickly spread throughout the college basketball world, and many fans and analysts were shocked and disappointed. Huggins has long been known for his intense coaching style and his ability to motivate his players, but this incident has tarnished his reputation and raised questions about his judgment.
In a statement released by West Virginia University, Huggins apologized for his actions and expressed regret for the impact they had on his team and the university. “I am deeply sorry for my actions and the embarrassment they have caused,” he said. “I understand that I have let down my players, my colleagues, and the entire West Virginia University community. I take full responsibility for my actions and will do everything in my power to make things right.”
The university has not yet announced who will replace Huggins as head coach, but many fans and analysts are speculating about possible candidates. Some have suggested that former West Virginia player and current assistant coach Da’Sean Butler could be a strong candidate, while others have mentioned former NBA coach and West Virginia alum Jerry West as a possibility.
Regardless of who takes over as head coach, the West Virginia basketball program will undoubtedly face some challenges in the wake of Huggins’ resignation. Huggins was a beloved figure in Morgantown and had built a strong program that was consistently competitive in the Big 12 Conference. It remains to be seen how the team will respond to this setback, but one thing is certain: the legacy of Bob Huggins, both on and off the court, will be forever changed by this incident.
