Huggins to WVU

[fredp45]

http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegebasket ... y/10108684

I find it absolutely amazing that the President at WVU allowed his AD to hire Huggins within days of Beilein leaving, instead of insisting that he go out and do a search for who's out there.

Is winning so important that you...
1) don't consider the reputation your school gets when you hire a guy like Huggins?
2) Huggin's history of recruiting kids of less than stellar backgrounds?
3) The image you want your school to have?
4 Ignore the long term for the short term? What makes WVU think he won't do one year and then move on to another school next year?
5) forget or ignore the many years with ZERO graduation rates at Cincinnati?
6) Ignore or forget that he's had at least one incident with the police and a DUI. Ok, hard to fault him for one incident but I can say, I'm nearly 50 years old and I've never been booked or arressted for a DUI and I ain't a saint either.

I saw that video clip, he was toast...he wasn't just one beer over his limit, he was so far beyond that it isn't even funny. What does that show your university, students and players? The guy is "in-charge" of your kids on road trips and he doesn't have the sense to call a cab and get his car tomorrow. As a parent, would you feel comfortable with him taking your kid to another city?? NO way.

I live in WVU but went to Md and I will say, this news was accepted by approximately 50% of the Neers fans here. Of the 50% against the move, many were embarrassed...and they should be.

I know Md hasn't had a perfect past but I do know that Debbie Yow, the AD has added incentives in both Gary and Fridge's contracts for guys graduating. Of Gary's 6 seniors, 4 are graduation on time. Not Stanford or Yale percentages, but certainly NOT NC State or Cincinnati numbers either. Md has made a lot of improvements over the years.

I'm the President of WVU, here's what I would have done...

I would required my AD to go out and find a young guy who has coached at a lesser known school, e.g., Dave Dickerson from Tulane OR maybe an asst from a big bball school (e.g., Florida, OSU, Duke, Conn, Pitts, Texas, UNC, etc) who wants to get his start somewhere nice -- hey, WVU is a Big East school. How about Johnny Dawkins? Let the guy build a program and give him time. Ensure he finds kids that fit the image you want to set and let'r rip.

The last thing they need is Bobby Huggins...OMG, what a dumb decision...I dread the pictures of that guy in our local paper. WVU sold their soul to get a guy that they think will bring a winner -- at many costs!

[nuskins]

I live in WVU but went to Md and I will say, this news was accepted by approximately 50% of the Neers fans here. Of the 50% against the move, many were embarrassed...and they should be.

WVU sold their soul to get a guy that they think will bring a winner -- at many costs!

OK, how do you live in WVU? I went to school there and lived in Morgantown WV. What you fail to mention is that WVU brought home an Alumni to coach their program just as they did with Coach Rod. People make mistakes. I have many friends and know many more good people who have unfortunately made a grave error in deciding to drive a vehicle after drinking. I myself am ashamed to admit that I have done it in my past as I am sure many here would admit as well. A single DUI should not end a mans professional career in any occupation should it? This economy would be a dire trouble if it did.

Bob Huggins is a great coach who recruits talent and made a bad mistake.

He will be a great coach for WVU and in my mind probably end his coaching career there. I look forward to him coaching our program. Oh, and of my many alum friends I have not heard one word or protest to this hiring, perhaps those who have no vested interest in the school and look at this only through the eyes of the media machine will make protests but if my son was in the position to play for Bob Huggins I would consider him very fortunate.

[fredp45]

I apologize, I mistyped, I live in WV but not "in" WVU or Morgantown.

I agree with not faulting someone over one mistake, in fact, I acknowledged that in my first post, when I said:

Ok, hard to fault him for one incident but I can say, I'm nearly 50 years old and I've never been booked or arressted for a DUI and I ain't a saint either.

It is curious that your alum friends aren't concerned with his past record of not graduating his players, recuriting kids of less than stellar backgrounds, etc... Could your friends be putting way too much value in winning versus what happens to the kids, the image of the institution, etc.?

I also wonder how these same people are reacting to the current news on Pacman Jones & Chris Henry? I sure hope they aren't proud of that. Then there's the recruting of Pat Lazear, was that a move to be happy with?

I don't deny Huggins' ability to coach and WVU getting wins (we'll see if he does as well as Beilein though) but the real question that I posed was -- is it worth it?

I'm not trying to get preachy here. I love it when my Terps (and SKins and Wizards and Caps) win but I've learned over my many years that what I believe is important..long term are the kids and the image of an institution. WVU and Md are there to ready kids for a job, will Bobby do that for 90% of his kids? Will he put any stock in ensuring that the kids that won't end up in the NBA are ready to do something with their lives?

To close, I sure hope Bobby has changed and he proves me wrong...enjoy those wins!

[fredp45]

This is what I'm talking about and I am only quoting from ESPN's Page 2 Am Jump today:

7 - Bob Huggins
One year after Kansas State gave Bob Huggins an opportunity to restart his coaching career, Huggins has decided to leave to take the West Virginia job. This is quite a coup for the Mountaineers. Now they have no need to get rid of those misspelled NIT championship "West Virgina" T-shirts. Huggins' future recruits will gladly take them since most of them probably won't know how to read anyway.

____________________

That's the reputation Bobby has...apparently, WVU either doesn't care of they have a short memory!

[andyjens89]

2) Huggin's history of recruiting kids of less than stellar backgrounds?
3) The image you want your school to have?

WVU just recruited Noel Devine, obviously they dont care about that kind of thing

[fredp45]

Don't know Noel Devine...what's his story?

[nuskins]

Noel could be a superstar and is this years cream of the prep class. This kid is amazing on his feet but lacks size. Has amazinf potential but needs guidance.

A couple of references, the first dealing with his tumultous life.

http://sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/9970672

Some highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6CqA7hEzw8&mode=related&search=

And what Scout.com has:

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=2392416

HTH

[nuskins]

2) Huggin's history of recruiting kids of less than stellar backgrounds?
3) The image you want your school to have?

WVU just recruited Noel Devine, obviously they dont care about that kind of thing

I guess U of F, Florida State, Alabama, and LSU don't care about that kind of thing either as they were all selling their souls to try and land this guy.

No, it's just WVU that looks at emotionally troubled prospects

[fredp45]

emotionally troubled prosepects and emotionally troubled coaches!!