Bob Huggins Will Return to Sidelines on Nov. 20, Given Final Chance

After a joint-statement by WVU President E. Gordon Gee and AD Wren Baker, men’s basketball head coach Bob Huggins will return to the sidelines on Nov. 20 for the Fort Myers Tip-Off. Huggins will serve a three-game suspension at the beginning of the 2023-24 season based on his anti-gay comments earlier this week.

The statement by Gee and Baker states that if Huggins has any similar incidents of derogatory and offensive language that it will lead to immediate termination. Huggins is given his final warning.

“We will never truly know the damage that has been done by the words said in those 90 seconds. Words matter and they can leave scars that can never be seen. But words can also heal. And by taking this moment to learn more about another’s perspective, speak respectfully and lead with understanding, perhaps the words ‘do better’ will lead to meaningful change for all,” Gee and Baker said.

Along with missing the first three games, Huggins will have $1 million of his contract donated to support WVU’s LGBTQ+ Center, the Carruth Center and other organizations. Huggins will also be working with the LGBTQ+ community in training sessions.

Huggins’ contract has been changed from a multi-year agreement to a year-by-year basis. The Basketball Hall of Famer’s deal starts on May 10, 2023, and ends on April 30, 2024. The deal can then get extended each year.

West Virginia’s First Three Games in 2023-24:

Missouri State / Nov. 6 (H)

Monmouth / Nov. 10 (H)

Jacksonville State / Nov. 14 (H)

The Mountaineers will matchup with either Virginia, Wisconsin or SMU in the first game of the Fort Myers Tip-Off event on Nov. 20. The opponent and time will be decided at a later date.