Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Bob Huggins

Discover the career path of Bob Huggins, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Bob Huggins, nicknamed "Huggy Bear," is a prominent American college basketball coach. He has served as head coach for multiple universities including Walsh, Akron, Cincinnati, Kansas State, and West Virginia. Huggins was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022, recognizing his significant contributions to the sport.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1972: Ohio Player of the Year

In 1972, Bob Huggins was named the Ohio Player of the Year, capping off a successful high school basketball career where he scored 2,438 points.

1975: Played for the Mountaineers

In 1975, Bob Huggins began playing point guard for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

1977: Cincinnati Bearcats Had Not Earned a Bid to the NCAA tournament Since 1977

Before Bob Huggins was hired in 1989, the Cincinnati Bearcats had not earned a bid to the NCAA tournament since 1977.

1977: Graduate Assistant at West Virginia

In 1977, Bob Huggins began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at West Virginia under coach Joedy Gardner.

1977: Finished playing for the Mountaineers

In 1977, Bob Huggins finished playing point guard for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

1980: Head Coach at Walsh University

In 1980, at the age of 27, Bob Huggins became the head coach at Walsh University, marking his first collegiate head coaching position.

1982: NAIA District 22 Coach of the Year

In 1982, Bob Huggins earned NAIA District 22 Coach of the Year honors for his work at Walsh University.

1983: Walsh Team Finishes Regular Season Undefeated

In 1983, Bob Huggins directed the Walsh team to a perfect 30-0 regular season record, ultimately finishing 34-1 overall.

1985: Post-Season Play at Akron

In 1985, Bob Huggins' Akron team reached post-season play.

1989: Head Coach of Cincinnati Bearcats

In 1989, Bob Huggins became the head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats, inheriting a program that hadn't been to the NCAA tournament since 1977.

1992: Great Midwest Conference Titles From 1992

From 1992, Bob Huggins' teams won five consecutive conference tournament titles.

1992: Final Four Appearance

In 1992, Bob Huggins directed Cincinnati to a Final Four appearance in the NCAA tournament.

1992: Final Four of NCAA tournament

In 1992, Bob Huggins led the Cincinnati Bearcats to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament, his third season as coach.

1992: Final Four Appearance with Cincinnati

In 1992, Bob Huggins led the Cincinnati Bearcats to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament, marking a significant achievement in his coaching career.

1993: Elite Eight

In 1993, Bob Huggins directed Cincinnati to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament.

1995: Great Midwest Conference Titles From 1995

From 1995, Bob Huggins' teams won five consecutive conference tournament titles.

1996: Elite Eight

In 1996, Bob Huggins directed Cincinnati to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament.

1996: Conference USA men's basketball tournament in 1996

In 1996, Bob Huggins' teams won five consecutive conference tournament titles.

1997: Ray Meyer Award as Coach of the Year

In 1997, Bob Huggins earned the Ray Meyer Award as the Conference USA Coach of the Year.

1997: Sweet Sixteen Appearance for Duke in 1997

In 2007, the Moutaineers defeated 2nd-seeded Duke 73–67 to move into the Sweet Sixteen, ending a streak of consecutive Sweet 16 appearances for Duke that had begun in 1997.

1998: Ray Meyer Award and Basketball Times National Coach of the Year

In 1998, Bob Huggins earned the Ray Meyer Award and was named Basketball Times' national coach of the year.

1999: Ray Meyer Award as Coach of the Year

In 1999, Bob Huggins earned the Ray Meyer Award as the Conference USA Coach of the Year.

2000: Ray Meyer Award as Coach of the Year

In 2000, Bob Huggins earned the Ray Meyer Award as the Conference USA Coach of the Year.

2001: ESPN.com National Coach of the Year

In 2001, Bob Huggins was selected national coach of the year by ESPN.com.

August 23, 2005: UC President Said Bearcat Program Did Not Fit With Plan

On August 23, 2005, UC President Nancy L. Zimpher determined that the Bearcat program under Bob Huggins didn't align with her vision to enhance UC's academic standing, leading to Huggins's departure. Huggins accepted a $3 million buyout.

2005: Left Cincinnati Bearcats

In 2005, Bob Huggins left the Cincinnati Bearcats.

March 23, 2006: Accepted Head Coaching Job at Kansas State

On March 23, 2006, Bob Huggins accepted the head coaching job at Kansas State University after spending a year out of coaching.

April 5, 2007: Signed Contract with West Virginia University

On April 5, 2007, Bob Huggins signed a five-year contract to become the head coach at his alma mater, West Virginia University.

December 22, 2007: Won 600th Game

On December 22, 2007, Bob Huggins won his 600th game as a coach, on the road against Canisius.

2007: Head Coach of Mountaineers

In 2007, Bob Huggins became the head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers.

May 18, 2008: Completed Recruiting Class

On May 18, 2008, Bob Huggins completed his recruiting class with the signing of Devin Ebanks, a highly-ranked small forward.

2009: Won Big East Tournament

During the 2009-10 season, West Virginia won the Big East tournament for the first time.

2010: Final Four Appearance with West Virginia

In 2010, Bob Huggins led West Virginia University to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament, marking his second Final Four appearance with two different teams.

2010: Lost to Kentucky

In the 2010–11 season, the Mountaineers lost to Kentucky, 71–63. Huggins embraced Kentucky head coach John Calipari, a close friend, after the game.

December 22, 2011: Reached 700th Career Victory

On December 22, 2011, Bob Huggins achieved his 700th career victory by defeating Missouri State in the Las Vegas Classic.

2012: Best Chance to Win a National Title

In 2012, Bleacher Report described Bob Huggins's third season with the Mountaineers as having been his "best chance" to win a national title.

2012: Mountaineers in the Big 12 Conference

The 2012–13 season was the first for the Mountaineers in the Big 12 Conference. Huggins spoke about the new conference's schedule.

2014: Introduction of Press Virginia

In 2014, Bob Huggins is credited with the introduction of "Press Virginia", a pressing defense.

November 6, 2017: Signed Four-Year Contract Extension

On November 6, 2017, WVU and Bob Huggins agreed to a four-year contract extension with options for stepping aside or continuing to coach.

2018: Mountaineers Finished The Regular Season

Despite beginning the 2018–19 season ranked No. 13, the Mountaineers finished the regular season at 12–19 (4–14), earning last place in Big 12 conference play for the first time.

March 2021: Huggins Averaged 23 Wins Per Season

As of March 2021, Bob Huggins has averaged 23 wins per season over the course of his coaching career, demonstrating his consistent success.

2021: Contract Extension Option

On November 6, 2017, WVU and Bob Huggins agreed to a four-year contract extension that included an option for him to step aside or continue coaching after the 2021–22 season.

2022: Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2022, Bob Huggins was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to the sport.

2022: Contract Extension Option

On November 6, 2017, WVU and Bob Huggins agreed to a four-year contract extension that included an option for him to step aside or continue coaching after the 2021–22 season.

January 27, 2023: Bob Huggins Fish Fry 2023

On January 27, 2023, the annual Bob Huggins Fish Fry was held for the 11th time. The 2023 event was attended by a record 2,700 people and featured Charles Barkley as the headlining guest. The event raised money for charities including the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Research Endowment Fund, and the Remembering the Miners organization.

June 17, 2023: Bob Huggins Resigns from West Virginia

On June 17, 2023, Bob Huggins released a statement announcing his resignation from West Virginia. In the statement, he also announced his retirement.

2023: Head Coach of Mountaineers

Bob Huggins was the head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers until 2023.

2023: Resignation and Retirement from West Virginia

In 2023, Bob Huggins announced his resignation and retirement from West Virginia following a drunk driving arrest. He later denied officially resigning.

June 2027: Option to Work in Athletic Department

On November 6, 2017, WVU and Huggins agreed to a contract extension including an option to work elsewhere in the athletic department through June 2027.