Bob Huggins Responds to Ken Kendrick’s Comments

Former WVU HC Bob Huggins released a statement on Wednesday night, responding to Ken Kendrick’s comments with WV MetroNews. Huggins said the following through the Full Court Press radio show’s social media account, who he has been associated with this year.

“Lots of folks asking for a response to recent comments about me.

“The only thing I’ll say is I know my situation invites criticism, but hope the strong opinions and judgments about me don’t make anybody else out there feel ashamed in their own struggles.

“My home state of West Virginia gets kicked around a lot, but the truth is there’s a problem in this state and so many others, and a lot of people suffer from addiction. If you’re struggling with addiction and recovery, do not let the shamers get to you.

“I continue to learn from my mistakes. We all have our critics. Like me, you may be your own worst critic. But as we know well in West Virginia, pressure makes diamonds. Keep Pressing.”

-Bob Huggins

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— 🏀 Full Court Press Radio 🏀 (@FullCourtWV) March 14, 2024

Kendrick, WVU donor and owner of MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks, did not hold back when asked about Huggins’ future in West Virginia University Athletics.

“I think WVU, in their handling of the Bob Huggins debacle, probably were too lenient with him. Had he worked for me, he would have not had a job after he engaged in this vituperative series of homophobic remarks back in the spring and then was retained under very difficult circumstances and then lost his job as a result of a drunken stupor, I will call it,” said Kendrick during an appearance on the Metro News Hotline show.

“It’s the second time he lost his job because of drunkenness. It may not be remembered by many, but it is by me. He was let go by Cincinnati for exactly the same reason. So I think he has no place in the lives of young men who deserve quality leadership. So I would be one who would wonder about the mental capacity of any leader of any university who would consider hiring him for a coaching position,” Kendrick added.

Huggins had back-to-back episodes of embarrassing the University and basketball program when he said an anti-gay slur over the radio last May and then his DUI arrest in June, which led to his eventual resignation the following day.