Two Athletes Turned Media Stars to Join Bob Huggins at Annual Fish Fry

Those who look forward to the Bob Huggins Fish Fry every year now know who will be joining the Hall of Fame coach this winter.

As announced by on the Bob Huggins Fish Fry Facebook page on Tuesday, Huggins will welcome two former athletes who have become big names in sports media as his guests for the 2026 event.

Former NFL player turned ESPN analyst Merril Hodge and former college basketball star turned CBS Sports analyst Clark Kellogg will join Huggins.

More information about each guest as shared by the Bob Huggins Fish Fry can be found below:

Merril Hoge: “A standout running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears over eight NFL seasons, Merril went on to become a respected ESPN analyst. Beyond the field, he’s an inspiring cancer survivor, concussion advocate and motivational speaker whose message of resilience and leadership resonates. We’re thrilled to have him bring that energy to our Fish Fry.”

Clark Kellogg: “A former star at Ohio State University who advanced to the NBA’s Indiana Pacers as the 8th overall pick in 1982. Today, Clark is one of the most respected college basketball analysts on CBS Sports, widely recognized as the voice of March Madness. His insight, authenticity, and passion for the game have made him a fan favorite on and off the court. We’re honored to welcome him to our event.”

Proceeds from the Bob Huggins Fish Fry benefit the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Endowment in support of cancer care services at Vandalia Health and the Remember the Miners Scholars Program.

“We are deeply grateful to Coach Huggins, his family, and friends for their unwavering support, which has been instrumental in helping Vandalia Health expand cancer care across West Virginia,” said David Goldberg, President and CEO of Mon Health System and Executive Vice President of Vandalia Health-Northern Region about the Bob Huggins Fish Fry. “Thanks to the dedication and generosity of supporters, we have been able to expand access to cancer care and screenings along with advancing treatment options to serve even more rural communities. These advancements ensure that patients throughout the state receive expert, compassionate cancer care close to home. Coach Huggins’ commitment to this cause is truly making a lasting difference in the lives of countless families.”

Bob Huggins honored at a WVU football game after his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2022. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)

The Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Endowment was established by the Huggins family in their mother’s name to support cancer care and research across West Virginia.

The 14th annual Bob Huggins Fish Fry is scheduled to take place on Jan. 30th.

Huggins, now 72, owns 935 career wins, which is third on the all-time wins list amongst coaches. He led both Cincinnati (1992) and WVU (2010) to an appearance in the Final Four. Huggins was named Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2015 and was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.

Find more coverage of Bob Huggins at WV Sports Now.