Bob Huggins had a miserable offseason. Disparaging comments he made about Catholics and homosexuals, then a DUI arrest all led to him resigning as head coach of West Virginia University’s men’s basketball team. Fortunately, that had a relatively clean, peaceful end. Or so we thought.
Three weeks after his resignation was announced, Huggins is apparently looking to return to the bench.
Hoppy Kercheval of West Virginia Metro News tweeted on Saturday night that “Former WVU head basketball coach Bob Huggins sends letter to WVU demanding reinstatement or he will sue. Claims he never resigned.”
Breaking: Former WVU head basketball coach Bob Huggins sends letter to WVU demanding reinstatement or he will sue. Claims he never resigned.
— Hoppy Kercheval (@HoppyKercheval) July 9, 2023
On Saturday, June 17, Huggins’ resignation was announced. Not only did West Virginia announce that Huggins was resigning, but as part of the announcement, Huggins issued a statement that started with, “Today, I have submitted a letter to President Gordon Gee and Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker informing them of my resignation and intention to retire as head men’s basketball coach at West Virginia University effective immediately.”
Anyone who’s followed college basketball for more than a few weeks knows that whether on or off the court, anything can — and often will — happen. But even with that understood, this news caused a lot of head-scratching among college hoops fans.
Unbelievable. And literally nothing in this sport is unbelievable https://t.co/Kdj56dMzJT
— Curry Hicks Sage (@CurryHicksSage) July 9, 2023
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) July 9, 2023
Always thought Huggins "resignation" from WVU came with an undisclosed payment of some kind in exchange. Feels like WVU didn't hold up some end of the bargain and Huggins feels like he'll never get an opportunity to coach again anywhere else.
What a pure, unadulterated mess. https://t.co/GOAAoc9myY
— Brian Sexton (@BrianSexton13) July 9, 2023
I see he’s going for the San Diego State strategy. Bold. https://t.co/jhocGacXlF
— Ghost Mike Toscano (@mtosc98) July 9, 2023
Never a dull moment in college sports https://t.co/4DIvj1ohYs
— Justin Frommer (@JustinbFrommer) July 9, 2023
Is Bob Huggins for real!?! https://t.co/KSnfC8piYj
— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) July 9, 2023
West Virginia has also announced that Josh Eilert, a longtime assistant of Huggins, will serve as head coach for the 2023-24 season.
What’s next? At this point, it’s anyone’s guess. But if this saga has taught us anything, it’s best to expect the unexpected.
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