Pittsburgh (KDKA) — West Virginia University men’s basketball head coach Bob Huggins announced his resignation and intention to retire less than 24 hours after he was charged with DUI by Pittsburgh police, the final straw after he came under fire for several recent incidents.
Cynthia Weathers was walking down Merchant Street off Ridge Street Friday night when she came across police, flashing lights, and a black SUV in the middle of the road.
“I hoped there wouldn’t be an accident and that nobody or anything would be injured,” Eutheris said. “It looked as if his tire had been damaged in some way, maybe he hit a curb or something.”
Little did she know, however, who was behind the wheel, Bob Huggins, 69, Hall of-Fame Men’s Basketball Coach at West Virginia University.
Pittsburgh police said an officer found him getting into the driver’s side of the SUV shortly before 8:30 p.m. The car was holding up traffic, with its slashed tyre.
According to the criminal complaint, when the officer attempted to assist Huggins, she noticed he was having trouble driving, and “almost [hit] The wall behind him.” Then the officer turned to her and asked for her support.
Court records said Huggins failed standard field sobriety tests and had a 0.210 BAC, more than double the legal limit. Officers also saw he had textbook signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and glassy eyes, and discovered two trash bags filled with empty beer cans in the SUV that WVU had rented.
Police said Huggins did not realize he was in Pittsburgh. Instead, he told them he believed he was in Columbus, Ohio, for basketball camp. He told them the last thing he remembered was stopping at a Burger King in Washington, Pennsylvania around 1:30 p.m.
Huggins was the head coach at WVU for 16 years. Before that, he was the head coach at the University of Cincinnati, before he was fired after a similar incident. Surveillance video from that incident in 2004 shows Huggins again failing the field sobriety test. Police charged him with DUI, but he pleaded no contest, and was fired the following year.
In May, WVU placed Huggins on a three-game suspension and cut his pay by $1 million, after using a homophobic slur on radio in Cincinnati.
Before announcing his resignation, WVU students, alumni, and fans had a mixed reaction to Huggins’ latest DUI.
The former player, Drew Scheveno, did not play under Huggins, but is associated with the coach. He told KDKA that he has “a lot of respect [Huggins]and “It’s unfortunate that this happened.” Scheveno also said he hoped he didn’t “ruin the incident.” [Huggins’] legacy,” but said he “can’t defend what [Huggins] an act.”
Huggins was released from custody pending a future preliminary hearing.
Late Saturday night, Huggins issued a statement saying his actions did not represent the university and he let everyone else including himself.
Mountaineer Nation:
Today I submitted a letter to President Gordon G and Vice President and Director of Athletics Ren Baker informing them of my resignation and my intention to retire as the men’s basketball coach at West Virginia University immediately.
My recent actions do not represent the university’s values or the leadership expected in this role. While I’ve always tried to honorably represent our university, it’s all – and me – let me down. I am solely responsible for my conduct and sincerely apologize to the university community – especially to the student-athletes, coaches, and staff of our program. I have to do better, and plan to spend the next few months focusing on my health and my family so I can be the person they deserve to be.
It has been the honor of my career to lead the men’s basketball program at my university and I am very proud of our accomplishments. But I’m so proud of the amazing young people who chose to spend their formative years with us, and who have gone on to do great things with their lives.
I was born in Morgantown and graduated from West Virginia University and had the pleasure of coaching here for seventeen seasons as an assistant or head coach. It will always be my home, and I will always be a climber.
Thanks to everyone who has supported our program over the years. He has meant more to me and my family than you could possibly know.
sincerely,
Bob Huggins
WVU President Gordon Gee and Vice President/Director of Athletics Wren Baker also released a statement.
Coach Huggins has informed us of his intention to retire and has submitted his letter of resignation, which we have accepted in light of recent events. We support his decision so he can focus on his health and his family.
On behalf of West Virginia University, we share our appreciation for his service to our university, our community, and our state. During his time as a student-athlete, assistant coach, and head coach, Coach Huggins has dedicated himself to his players, to our student body, to our fans, to our alumni, and to all of West Virginia. His contributions will always be a part of our history.
In the coming days, we will focus on supporting the student-athletes in the men’s basketball program and establishing leadership for our program.
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