Ken Kendrick Puts Huggins Rumors to Rest

Big-time WVU donor slams the door shut on a Bob Huggins return.

Bob Huggins is no longer the head men's basketball coach at West Virginia University. You probably know that by now, considering he submitted his resignation letter last summer and was not on his famous stool at the end of the Mountaineer bench this past season.

But here we are, still talking about the situation that transpired. 

Why? I'm not sure. 

Big-time WVU donor Ken Kendrick, who is also the owner of MLBs Arizona Diamondbacks, joined Hoppy Kercheval on his show at MetroNews to discuss the coaching search. In the conversation, he was asked if Huggins should be considered to return as the program's head coach.

His short answer? "A hard no."

The more in-depth answer?

“It’s the second time he lost his job because of drunkenness. It may not be remembered by many, but it is by me. He was let go by Cincinnati for exactly the same reason. So I think he has no place in the lives of young men who deserve quality leadership. So I would be one who would wonder about the mental capacity of any leader of any university who would consider hiring him for a coaching position.

“Instead of being in the hall of fame, he should be in the hall of shame, to be blunt. Alcoholism is a disease, and he’s had that disease for a long time.

“But his future with WVU sports is totally at an end. And anyone who would think he should be considered — I’d really question whether they ought to seek some counseling.”

This comes out on the exact morning that WVU athletic director Wren Baker officially announced that he is parting ways with Josh Eilert, beginning a national search for the next head coach.

It's not exactly the best timing to revisit last summer's events, but it does, however, eliminate the idea that Huggins could return as the program's leader.

This season was challenging enough for everyone involved - Eilert, the players, the staff, and the fans. It's time to close that chapter of Mountaineer basketball. But in order to move on, everyone must move on from bringing up Bob Huggins. Everyone has their opinions on the matter, but it's a disservice to continue to talk about what happened almost a year ago when you are about to embark on a coaching search.

It's widely known that Huggins would not be considered for the head coaching job and it's been known for quite some time. President Gordon Gee even stated they are "moving on" during a separate interview with MetroNews last July.

The reality is, Bob Huggins has done a lot of good since returning to Morgantown in 2007. He's helped raise a ton of money for cancer research and done a number of other things in the community, in addition to taking WVU basketball to places it hadn't been to in years. 

It's also true that he made two huge mistakes that ultimately cost him his job. But he's taken the necessary steps to focus on himself and not be a distraction to the team or the university.

Huggins' time at WVU has passed and it's time we all close the book on that chapter. 

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