Bob Huggins is no longer the head basketball coach at West Virginia University. That has not stopped him from supporting the program he once led to two Final Fours during his 16-year tenure.
The 70-year-old Basketball Hall of Famer was in attendance at Wednesday’s game between his most recent program and Cincinnati. Huggins also coached the Bearcats from 1989 to 2005.
In something of a full-circle moment, he joined a Cincinnati-based radio program prior to tipoff. It marked his first appearance on Queen City radio since he dropped a homophobic slur back in May that seemingly got the snowball rolling down the hill that ultimately led to his ouster.
Huggins was either fired by WVU or forcibly resigned after a second drunk driving arrest in June. Sobriety has been a big focus of his retirement and he looks much healthier today than he did then.
He has lost a lot of weight!
Here is how Bob Huggins looked during March Madness:
Here is how he looked on Wednesday night:
Although Huggins’ legendary tenure in Morgantown came to a disappointing end, his status as a college basketball legend remains. There is also still a mutual respect between he and the sport.
Wes Miller, head coach of the Bearcats, showed him some love before the game.
Huggins also shared a handshake and brief conversation with WVU athletic director Wren Baker. They are amicable! (Publicly, at least.)
Although Huggins announced his retirement after the unfortunate end to his career, a return to the sideline is not entirely out of the picture. Perhaps he could work alongside Miller in the future?
It appears as though any relationships that might have broken are on the mend. Huggins looks like he has found a new lease on life post-basketball and his willingness to support a program that essentially forced him out (even though he did it to himself) is a sign that he is doing well!