Former WVU Basketball Assistant Coach Larry Harrison Releases Statement in Response to Sudden Dismissal

With much speculation on why West Virginia made the sudden decision to fire Larry Harrison, the former longtime assistant basketball coach released a statement to tell his side of the story.

“I wish I had an expiation to share with you on in regard to my unforeseen dismissal, but I do not. However, I can assure you I am not the subject of any NCAA, criminal or other investigations or violations,” Harrison said as part the statement and in response to those wondering if some infraction by Harrison triggered the surprising move in the middle of a season.

He then continued to further clarify that he doesn’t really know what happened. “I read the university‘a statement that the decision was made in the best interest of Mountaineer basketball. I can only assume that some important people believe that to be true,” said Harrison.

The 62-year-old coach would go on to thank Mountaineer Nation and his players, closing with the fitting, “once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer.”

This statement by Harrison comes less than 24 hours after WVU announced the hiring of DeMarr Johnson to fill the assistant coach void on the men’s basketball staff.

Harrison spent the last 13 seasons as the associate head coach at West Virginia, 24th with Huggins. Harrison was a part of Huggins’ coaching staff at Cincinnati as well. “I’m excited for this opportunity to work with my coach, and I’m looking forward to getting to know and working with the players and staff,” Johnson said about receiving the opportunity to join WVU basketball. “I can’t wait to get started to help this basketball program.”

As far as Johnson’s credentials, Huggins addressed those with his thoughts about the addition to his staff. “Obviously, DerMarr is a guy who I know very well. “He has a great amount of experience from being the national player of the year in high school, to the Conference USA Freshman of the Year, to the NBA and to a 16-year professional basketball career,” Huggins said. “He’s extremely well-liked by former players, coaches and fans alike. He has a tremendous presence in the Washington, D.C. area, being one of the most-recognized athletes to come out of there in a long time. I’m thrilled that he’s joining our program and look forward to him getting on the court,” said the Basketball Hall of Fame.