Why does Huggins get a "pass" and Dana doesn't?

VaultHunter

New member
Apr 15, 2014
13,233
1,665
0
Huggins has not won a Big12 championship and there are currently basketball programs in the Big12 that are better than WVU. Nobody is calling for Huggins to be fired after having basically above average success in the Big12. People are willing to give Huggins time to try and build WVU into a Big12 contender but will not do the same for Dana. Why?
 
Feb 15, 2005
7,083
60
0
Huggins has not won a Big12 championship and there are currently basketball programs in the Big12 that are better than WVU. Nobody is calling for Huggins to be fired after having basically above average success in the Big12. People are willing to give Huggins time to try and build WVU into a Big12 contender but will not do the same for Dana. Why?

Huggins took WVU to the sweet 16 his first year, got bounced out in the first round the next year, then went to the Final Four the following year. Now I do understand that he did this with mostly JB's guys. WVU then regressed the next two seasons before hitting rock bottom in the 2012-2013 season. At that time, I brought up that despite Huggins past success, that he should be on the hot seat if seasons like that continued. Difference is that since that time, the basketball program has steadily taken steps forward.
 

KeatonsCorner

New member
Nov 5, 2012
47,987
653
0
The majority of points scored, rebounds grabbed, and even minutes played during his Final Four season was done so by Bob Huggins-recruited players.....

The idea that he did it with mostly Beilein recruits is wrong
 
Feb 15, 2005
7,083
60
0
The majority of points scored, rebounds grabbed, and even minutes played during his Final Four season was done so by Bob Huggins-recruited players.....

The idea that he did it with mostly Beilein recruits is wrong

But you can't discount that Desean was the center piece of the offense. Mazzulla also played great in the tourney that year. I don't think WVU makes more than sweet 16 without Butler
 

wbgvwbgv

New member
Nov 19, 2001
8,321
134
0
Huggins has not won a Big12 championship and there are currently basketball programs in the Big12 that are better than WVU. Nobody is calling for Huggins to be fired after having basically above average success in the Big12. People are willing to give Huggins time to try and build WVU into a Big12 contender but will not do the same for Dana. Why?

LOL - same 24/7 Marshall trolls and low information fans were dumping on Huggins before the tournament last year. Just about every free message board on Rivals has posters wanting the head coach replaced - mostly kids with an old timer here or there.
 

pressvirginia

New member
May 23, 2015
8,088
133
0
 

NCBuck_rivals726186

New member
May 29, 2001
2,056
1
0
Huggins has not won a Big12 championship and there are currently basketball programs in the Big12 that are better than WVU. Nobody is calling for Huggins to be fired after having basically above average success in the Big12. People are willing to give Huggins time to try and build WVU into a Big12 contender but will not do the same for Dana. Why?
LOL....are you kidding me? Wow, the posts some people make me laugh...thank you for this one. I'm not really sure if you're serious about this post or just plain ignorant of the facts. You do know Huggins has won several conference titles including the Big East tournament. Has racked up a lot of wins. Has been in the final four. Will more than likely end up in the College Hall of Fame, and on and on. Ok, list Dana's accomplishments.........crickets.
 

KeatonsCorner

New member
Nov 5, 2012
47,987
653
0
But you can't discount that Desean was the center piece of the offense. Mazzulla also played great in the tourney that year. I don't think WVU makes more than sweet 16 without Butler

K. Also don't discount that Butler may not have been recruited by Beilein, but was completely rebuilt under Bob Huggins. If Da'Sean had played under the previous coach, he'd have been a 6'7 195lb PF... Same with Wellington Smith.

Like the Joe Alexander transformation, those guys weren't remotely the same players they were, physically, as before Bob showed up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wvvidd

Samuel S

Member
Aug 1, 2014
670
192
43
As silly as it is to compare Huggins to Holgorsen, it is entirely unnecessary to demean the job Beilein did in order to prop up Huggins. Beilein was an excellent coach in his own right and he certainly left a strong program for Huggins. Huggins took full advantage.
 

KeatonsCorner

New member
Nov 5, 2012
47,987
653
0
As silly as it is to compare Huggins to Holgorsen, it is entirely unnecessary to demean the job Beilein did in order to prop up Huggins. Beilein was an excellent coach in his own right and he certainly left a strong program for Huggins. Huggins took full advantage.

I agree. That's why nobody demeaned him here.....

But the fact is that until JB got to Michigan, and was forced by the AD to fire his staff and to make coaching-philosophy changes such as recruiting strategy and weight training, Beilein did not physically develop him players.

Had Butler played his 4 years under JB, he'd have been this kid all 4 seasons (6'7, 195lbs):



Instead of this guy (6'7, 230lbs):

 
Last edited:

jpf578

New member
Sep 29, 2007
222
8
0
As silly as it is to compare Huggins to Holgorsen, it is entirely unnecessary to demean the job Beilein did in order to prop up Huggins. Beilein was an excellent coach in his own right and he certainly left a strong program for Huggins. Huggins took full advantage.

I would bet if Huggs was at MeatChicken, he would have won a championship by now. It's not hard to recruit there like it is here.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wvvidd
May 29, 2001
20,973
78
0
Comparing Huggins to Holgorsen is ridiculous, unless you're trolling for reaction, in which case, it's a "Gotcha!"
Career success in coaching that spans Akron, Cincinnati, Kansas State and WVU. 4th among active coaches, I believe, in victories.
34-27 career as head coach, all at WVU.
You might as well equate Vince Lombardi to Frank Cignetti.


M ighty defense throttled Georgia Southern, 44-0

O utstanding defense obliterated Liberty, 41-17

U nilaterally decimated Maryland, 45-6, on defense and offense

N oxious offense & special teams against Oklahoma, 44-24

T urnovers lose to Oklahoma State, 33-26 in OT despite impressive comeback from 15-point deficit.

A wesome Baylor too much, 62-38.

I ncinerated by TCU, 40-10. Way too many mistakes, penalties, dropped passes.

N ifty rushing, defense take down Texas Tech, 31-26

E xcellent turnovers by defense against Texas, 38-20

E rectile dysfunctioned Kansas, 49-0

R oll past Iowa State

S lap down Kansas State
 

HurdyGurdyEer

New member
Aug 18, 2012
3,108
69
0
The moral of this story .... JB needs to recruit our players and Huggs can develop them!

Anyway .... the true unsung hero of that F4 team was Wellington Smith. Talk about developing/transforming a player. We are not near becoming a F4 team without Wells becoming a rock in the middle of things. Wells and Butler were the heart and soul of that team.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WVex-pat in GA

dolemitebmf

New member
May 29, 2001
29,976
319
0
K. Also don't discount that Butler may not have been recruited by Beilein, but was completely rebuilt under Bob Huggins. If Da'Sean had played under the previous coach, he'd have been a 6'7 195lb PF... Same with Wellington Smith.

Like the Joe Alexander transformation, those guys weren't remotely the same players they were, physically, as before Bob showed up.
Exactly...
 

Pushingtin

New member
Nov 1, 2010
5,204
143
0
one is a well respected future hall of fame coach that did win a Big East BB championship.....the other will be lucky to be coaching by the end of the decade
 

Orlaco

Active member
Dec 13, 2007
29,178
300
83
So Huggs made players special...but JB, not so much ?

Laughable...and I have no dog in this fight.
 

phoenixeer

New member
Feb 2, 2015
280
5
0
Huggins has not won a Big12 championship and there are currently basketball programs in the Big12 that are better than WVU. Nobody is calling for Huggins to be fired after having basically above average success in the Big12. People are willing to give Huggins time to try and build WVU into a Big12 contender but will not do the same for Dana. Why?
Huggins is a hall of fame coach, Dana is a new head coach and was given a small rooster going to the Big 12 like Kansas has this year need to have patience things are improving faster than some think.
 

dolemitebmf

New member
May 29, 2001
29,976
319
0
Huggins has not won a Big12 championship and there are currently basketball programs in the Big12 that are better than WVU. Nobody is calling for Huggins to be fired after having basically above average success in the Big12. People are willing to give Huggins time to try and build WVU into a Big12 contender but will not do the same for Dana. Why?
Actually, Huggins won the best basketball conference in the country, in 2010. That makes your argument even more idiotic. You can go back to trolling now...
 

Mountaineer Steve

New member
May 29, 2001
15,275
10
0
Huggins has not won a Big12 championship and there are currently basketball programs in the Big12 that are better than WVU. Nobody is calling for Huggins to be fired after having basically above average success in the Big12. People are willing to give Huggins time to try and build WVU into a Big12 contender but will not do the same for Dana. Why?
Not against Holgs, but how about Hugs multiple sweet 16 and final 4 appearance.
 

hbeacheer

New member
Nov 2, 2007
898
7
0
S
Huggins has not won a Big12 championship and there are currently basketball programs in the Big12 that are better than WVU. Nobody is calling for Huggins to be fired after having basically above average success in the Big12. People are willing to give Huggins time to try and build WVU into a Big12 contender but will not do the same for Dana. Why?
Seriously? Man how some people forget the lean Cat years. Wvu struggled through many a10 years. Huggins won and won big in the toughest basketball conference. He's had success at the highest level for who knows how many years. To compare the two is crazy. Wvu basketball is better with Huggins. Enjoy it while he's here because we'll miss him when he retires
 

TruWVblu

New member
Jun 1, 2001
12,183
47
0
I can't speak for everyone and I am not the biggest Huggins fan, but I'm guessing it may have something to do with the fact that Huggins has had a Hall of Fame career and proven he can win at a very high level with players that he has recruited. To date, Holgorsen has done none of that.
 

ThePunish-EER

New member
Aug 19, 2005
13,313
58
0
I can't speak for everyone and I am not the biggest Huggins fan, but I'm guessing it may have something to do with the fact that Huggins has had a Hall of Fame career and proven he can win at a very high level with players that he has recruited. To date, Holgorsen has done none of that.
to date, you're still mouth breathing. Holgorson has proven he can win at a high level with his recruits as well. He's beaten a highly ranked school every season until this year. And who knows, he still might in a good bowl if Wvu wins out at 9-4. You can drink "just a beer" on that one.
 

3xWVUenginEER

New member
Dec 7, 2005
6,818
65
0
The way I see it is its a very simple answer, like every other sport on campus, they're not football. In other words all the others are the fillers.

2 seasons at WVU & for most WVU fans
1. Football season
2. Waiting for football season.

Again that's just how I see it.
 

steeleer

New member
Sep 19, 2005
3,160
44
0
I remember saying a few weeks ago that the thread wanting WVU to go to the AAC was the dumbest thread ever.

I was wrong.

When Dana gets us to the CFB Playoffs (the football equivalent to the Final Four), then he will have earned the street cred to back up seasons like 2 years ago. Until that happens, he absolutely needs to be judged with a completely different sets of standards.

Holy crap, Huggs just put us in the Sweet 16 last year (IMO the equivalent to a New Years Day bowl).

Either the OP (and anyone who agrees with him) is either dumb or ignorant. I'm still deciding.

Please continue.


EDIT: Oh... and to set the record straight. JB and Huggs are both excellent coaches and we were fortunate to have both. Belein would likely still be here if it weren't for his wife, so don't bash the dude. He had little choice but to leave, unless he wanted a divorce.
 

mounty99

New member
Dec 14, 2010
674
8
0
Until JB and Huggs everyone said WVU can't win consistently at a high level in Big East Basketball...no in state talent, can't get enough recruits, no one wants to come to Morgantown...Catlett was as good as we should expect. Low and behold JB comes and starts winning big and has some amazing runs, then Huggs comes and develops a lottery pick, wins the freaking Big East Basketball Championship and takes us to the Final 4 - plus a couple more Sweet 16's. It's amazing what a little quality coaching can do.

DH deserves a ton of credit for holding the team together and has a chance for a really strong finish. I even think this team was good enough to win at least 2 of the October games. With that said I'm still not sold that DH is going to get WVU to where it's a legitimate Big 12 contender (most years). I think/know WVU can become a legit Big 12 contender with the right person in charge. Regardless....short of a complete melt down the rest of the way DH deserves to come back and try to prove he can get over the hump.
 

xWVU2010x

New member
Sep 3, 2006
138,419
4,476
0
1. Huggins is closing in on a 30 year old resume that features way more successes than failures. In comparion DH's resume is that in 5 years he back doored into a BCS game as a partial winner of a terrible 8 team conference with someone elses players, and to his credit did coach one hell of a game vs. Clemson, but other than that one game, nothing of note. Being an OC for some #1 offenses 5+ years ago is old news, thats good enough to get you a job, not enought to keep one. I think its also important to add he wasnt a HC at any of those places and he stepped into great situations on a 1 year rent a coordinator situation.

2. Huggins brought WVU to its highest point since the 50s, as WVU basketball is traditionally decent, but misses more NCAA tournaments than it makes. Even Beilein was only 2/5, Huggins is 6/8 and will probably be 7/9 after this season with multiple Sweet 16s and a Final Four, making him going by our own history, probably our best coach ever. DH took over a program that in the last 30 years has been extremely close to national championships 3 times, we dont expect to be in the hunt every year, but its not unreasonable to expect him to produce a team that has a legit chance once every 10 years, were 5 years in and never finished above what, 16th? Hes not measuring up to what we traditionally expect. We view ourselves as a "football school" so the football coach needs to be held to a higher standard and he isnt even close to meeting it.

3. Huggins gives us stability. He wants to coach here until he retires, and after that point he will probably still work closely with the program from a position in the AD. He gives our program a recognizable face and identity that will never leave for another job. DH when we were 5-0 in 2011 already had his bags packed for Arkansas, until we faceplanted and finished the season 7-6. He has no loyalty to this job or area so why do we owe him an extended leash? To be clear, Im not one of those "the coach must be from WV" guys, but you cant deny that it helps if we have a successful coach that has ties to the state and school. Signifies to the recruits/donors that the guy is in it for the long haul.

So to summarize Huggins has 25+ years of being a better HC than DH

WVU Football has a higher bar than WVU basketball

Huggins is 100% more likely to reciprocate the loyalty than DH should other opportunities arise for either coach.
 

Samuel S

Member
Aug 1, 2014
670
192
43
Even if we chose to ignore all Huggins accomplished prior to coming here, his record at WVU is hugely better than Holgorsen's:

Huggins: .641 WP overall; .556 conf. WP. 1 losing conference record in 8 years before this. 1 Final 4, 2 Sweet 16s. A Big East championship in a conference that included 3 top 10, 5 top 20 teams and 8 NCAA teams.

If Holgorsen was winning any thing close to 64% of all games and 55% of conference games , he wouldn't need a pass, even without any postseason success close to what Huggs has put up.
 

xWVU2010x

New member
Sep 3, 2006
138,419
4,476
0
The way I see it is its a very simple answer, like every other sport on campus, they're not football. In other words all the others are the fillers.

2 seasons at WVU & for most WVU fans
1. Football season
2. Waiting for football season.

Again that's just how I see it.

This is true and I personally am a big fan of the bball program, but anyone who thinks that the fanbases for the two sports are even close to equal are delusional. The football program is what every student/alum sets up game watches for, comes back to Morgantown to see, and draws in the donor money regardless of how the team performs. The basketball program, even with sky high expectations, only draws the consistent attention of the sports geeks such as myself in our fanbase, unless the team is on a big roll in the postseason.
 

TruWVblu

New member
Jun 1, 2001
12,183
47
0
to date, you're still mouth breathing. Holgorson has proven he can win at a high level with his recruits as well. He's beaten a highly ranked school every season until this year. And who knows, he still might in a good bowl if Wvu wins out at 9-4. You can drink "just a beer" on that one.
You are not worthy of a response on the issue. When you start having some intelligent banter, and not resort to your normal childish name calling. Let me know.
 

TruWVblu

New member
Jun 1, 2001
12,183
47
0
when you start acting intelligent, let me know.
Your posts are always so subjective and completely dependent on your own perception of what you consider reality. You rarely offer anything of value and almost always resort to name calling. I have no time for that. Good day.