The University of Cincinnati’s all time winningest basketball coach, Bob Huggins, would like to put an end to the rumors that start every year at this time. No, he is not leaving the Bearcats, and to prove this, he has asked athletic director Bob Goin if the two could discuss a contract extension as soon as the spring recruiting period ends. Goin said, “I am optimistic that we will be able to work out the details that will have him coach the UC basketball team for years to come.”
Huggins has more wins (301) than any preceding coach in UC history. Huggs says, “I’ve been here for twelve years, and every year people have been killing us (in recruiting) saying I’m not going to be here the next year.” He is not going anywhere anytime soon. He has the 26th most active wins in Division I basketball and has repeatedly stated that he loves the city of Cincinnati and its university. He adores the athletic director, Bob Goin and believes that this will be his last college job.
I hope that everybody realizes how blessed we truly are in this city to have arguably one of the best three coaches in college basketball today. He has taken the Cats to ten consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (including the Final Four in 1992) and has won six straight conference USA titles. In 2000, we almost tasted a National Championship, if College Player of the Year Kenyon Martin had not have broken his leg just prior to the tournament.
I can think of about 200 other Division I schools, not to mention the NBA, that would love to have the man we have right here in Cincinnati. He is a part of our city like the Reds, Skyline Chili, and the WEBN Fireworks. Thank you, Coach Huggins, for giving me and many others such a true pleasure every new basketball season. We’ll see you next November.