Bob Huggins claims he never resigned as West Virginia head coach
Oh boy… The Bob Huggins situation with West Virginia is getting even messier.
Let’s recap the situation up to this point. Back in mid-June, Huggins was arrested in Pittsburgh for driving under the influence of alcohol — his second DUI, the first coming in 2004 — after blowing a 0.210 on the breathalyzer, more than twice the legal limit. A day later, he released a statement announcing his resignation as head coach of West Virginia men’s basketball and his retirement from coaching.
His resignation immediately snowballed into an exodus of Mountaineer players to the transfer portal, one of whom, 6-foot-9 power forward Tre Mitchell, quickly found his way to Kentucky.
Only now, Huggins is claiming he actually didn’t resign from his position. An attorney for the 69-year-old, David A. Campbell, released a statement this weekend saying that Huggins never actually left and that he wants his job — which has been filled by interim Josh Eilert — handed back to him.
Huggins is now threatening to sue the school if he is not reinstated as head coach.
The attorney states that Huggins’ wife, June Huggins, was the one who sent in Bob’s resignation to WVU deputy athletic director Steve Uryasz, which was allegedly done through text message. That being said, reports of Huggins’ resignation were released just a day after his drunk-driving arrest through a statement titled “A Message from Bob Huggins to the WVU Community”.
“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,” Huggins wrote in his statement.
“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. I must do better, and I plan to spend the next few months focused on my health and my family so that I can be the person they deserve.”
WVU has already responded to Huggins’ newest allegations, according to the AP, stating that they “are frankly confused by the allegations within the letter.” The program also notes that Huggins met with his players and members of the staff the day after his arrest to tell them he would stepping down from his position.
The AP was provided with a copy of the resignation notice sent from Huggins’ wife, which was actually done through email, not via text as Huggins’ attorney claims. The school has stated that they have no intentions of bringing him back as head coach.
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