Hall of Fame Coach Bob Huggins Resigns in Wake of DUI Charge – Following his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence, Bob Huggins, the basketball coach of West Virginia, has chosen to resign. This decision comes a month after the university suspended him for three games due to his use of an anti-gay slur and derogatory remarks towards Catholics during a radio interview.
“My recent actions do not represent the values of the University or the leadership expected in this role. I have let all of you – and myself – down,” he said in a statement on Saturday night. He added that he would spend time focusing on his health and family. “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,” Huggins said.
People Also Read: LeBron James Says He’s Considering Retirement
Huggins, aged 69, was stopped by the police in Pittsburgh on Friday evening, resulting in charges of driving under the influence. According to a police report, he was released from custody and is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing at a later date. According to a criminal complaint, an officer noticed garbage bags containing empty beer containers both inside the car and in the trunk.
Huggins explained that he had attended a basketball camp in Sherrodsville, Ohio, with his brother. However, when asked about the city he was currently in, Huggins did not provide a response. A breath test revealed that Huggins’ blood alcohol content was 0.21%, which is more than twice the legal limit of 0.08% in Pennsylvania. Additionally, a blood sample was taken from Huggins at a hospital before he was released.
In June 2004, Huggins pleaded no contest to driving under the influence in a Cincinnati suburb. As a result, he was instructed to participate in a three-day intervention program. The University of Cincinnati responded by indefinitely suspending him with pay and directing him to undergo rehabilitation. Huggins was allowed to return to work two months later, saying that: “I made a terrible mistake, and what bothers me most is I hurt other people.
All I can do is work like crazy to be a better person, a better coach, be better at everything I do and make those people proud of me.” In 2005, Huggins’ tenure at Cincinnati came to an end after a 16-year career. He was terminated due to a power struggle with the university’s president, as well as the consequences of his 2004 arrest. Following a brief stint at Kansas State, Huggins secured his desired position at West Virginia, his alma mater, in 2007.
Just recently, Huggins agreed to a set of disciplinary actions, which included a three-game suspension, a reduction of $1 million in salary, and sensitivity training. This was in response to his use of a slur during an interview with Cincinnati radio station WLW. The interview focused on the transfer portal and the potential recruitment of a player from Xavier, a Jesuit school, to West Virginia.
People Also Read: Carmelo Anthony Is Retiring From the NBA After 19 Seasons
In a subsequent statement issued by West Virginia University President Gordon Gee and athletic director Wren Baker, it was emphasized that the university had clearly communicated to Coach Huggins that any future instances of derogatory and offensive language would lead to his immediate dismissal.
Huggins was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in September of the previous year. Throughout his 41 seasons, his teams have participated in 25 NCAA tournaments, achieved a top 10 ranking in the Associated Press poll seven times, and experienced five seasons with a win-loss record below .500. Under Huggins’ leadership, the Mountaineers have made 11 appearances in the NCAA tournament.