Bob Huggins is an American college basketball coach who has led his teams to 24 NCAA tournaments, two Final Four appearances, and over 900 career victories. He is currently the head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball team, his alma mater. He is also known for his fiery personality, trademark black sweatsuit, and controversial comments.


Quick Facts:


  • Full Name: Robert Edward Huggins
  • Known As: Bob Huggins
  • Nickname: Huggy Bear
  • Father: Charles Huggins
  • Mother: Norma Mae Huggins
  • Siblings: Larry Huggins, Harry Huggins
  • Wife: June Huggins
  • Mistress: None
  • Daughter: Jenna Leigh Huggins
  • Son: Jacob Zachariah Huggins
  • Age (Present): 69
  • Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
  • Weight: 220 lb (100 kg)
  • Salary: $4,150,000
  • Net Worth: $12 million
  • Date of Birth: September 21, 1953
  • Birthplace: Morgantown, West Virginia, U.S.
  • Date of Death: N/A
  • Death Place: N/A
  • Cause of Death: N/A
  • Remains: N/A
  • Gender: Male
  • Zodiac Sign: Virgo
  • Religion: Christian
  • Race or Ethnicity: White
  • Education: West Virginia University (B.A., 1977)
  • Nationality: American
  • Influenced: Mick Cronin, Frank Martin, Andy Kennedy, etc.
  • Major Writings: None
  • Occupation: College basketball coach
  • Social Media:
    • Twitter: @CoachHuggs
    • Instagram: @coachhuggs


Career

Bob Huggins began his coaching career as an assistant at West Virginia University in 1977. He then moved to Ohio State University as an assistant from 1978 to 1980. He got his first head coaching job at Walsh College, an NAIA school, where he compiled a 71–26 record from 1980 to 1983. He then served as an assistant at the University of Central Florida for one season before taking over the head coaching position at the University of Akron in 1984.

At Akron, Huggins led the Zips to a 97–46 record in five seasons, winning the Ohio Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles in 1986. He also took the Zips to their first NCAA tournament appearance that year. In 1989, he left Akron to become the head coach at the University of Cincinnati.

Huggins turned Cincinnati into a national powerhouse, leading the Bearcats to 14 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances from 1992 to 2005. He won four Great Midwest Conference titles and eight Conference USA titles during his tenure. He also guided the Bearcats to the Final Four in 1992 and the Elite Eight in 1993 and 1996. He was named the Conference USA Coach of the Decade in 2005 and won three Conference USA Coach of the Year awards.

However, Huggins also faced some controversies and challenges at Cincinnati. In 2004, he was arrested for driving under the influence and was suspended by the university for three months. He also clashed with the university president over academic standards and contract issues. In 2005, he was forced to resign after rejecting a buyout offer from the university.

Huggins then took a one-year hiatus from coaching before accepting the head coaching job at Kansas State University in 2006. He led the Wildcats to a 23–12 record and their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1996. He also recruited future NBA stars Michael Beasley and Bill Walker to Kansas State.

However, after one season at Kansas State, Huggins left to become the head coach at West Virginia University in 2007. He said it was his dream job and wanted to return to his home state. Huggins has continued his success at West Virginia, leading the Mountaineers to nine NCAA tournament appearances.


Early Life & Childhood

Bob Huggins was born on September 21, 1953, in Morgantown, West Virginia. His full name is Robert Edward Huggins. He is the son of Charles and Norma Mae Huggins. He has two brothers, Larry and Harry. His father was a high school basketball coach who influenced his passion for the game.

Huggins moved with his family to Port Washington, Ohio, when he was young. He attended Indian Valley South High School, where he played basketball for his father. He was a star point guard who led his team to a 26–0 record and a state championship in his senior year.

Huggins enrolled at Ohio University in 1972, but he transferred to West Virginia University after his freshman season. He played for the Mountaineers from 1975 to 1977 under head coach Joedy Gardner. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1977.


Personal Life & Family

Bob Huggins married June Huggins in 1977. They have two children, Jenna Leigh, and Jacob Zachariah. Jenna is a former basketball player at West Virginia University and Jacob is a former assistant coach at Kansas State University and Arkansas State University.

Huggins has been involved in several charitable causes, such as the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Research Endowment Fund, named after his mother who died of colon cancer in 2003. He also supports the V Foundation for Cancer Research and Coaches vs. Cancer.

Huggins is a devout Christian who attends church regularly. He has a tattoo of a cross on his left arm. He is also an avid hunter and fisherman who enjoys spending time outdoors.

Huggins has faced some health issues in his life. In 2002, he suffered a heart attack while at an airport in Pittsburgh. He underwent surgery and recovered quickly. In 2019, he had hip replacement surgery after dealing with chronic pain for years.


Later Life

Bob Huggins is still alive and active as the head coach of West Virginia University. He has led the Mountaineers to nine NCAA tournament appearances, including a Final Four run in 2010. He has also won the Big East tournament title in 2010 and the Big 12 regular season title in 2021.

Huggins is one of the most successful and respected coaches in college basketball history. He has won over 900 games in his career, ranking him second among active coaches and sixth all-time. He has also coached several players who went on to play in the NBA, such as Kenyon Martin, Nick Van Exel, Jason Williams, etc.

Huggins was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022, joining other legends of the game. He has also received several awards and honors for his coaching achievements, such as the Jim Phelan Award, the Big 12 Coach of the Year Award, etc.


Some Unknown Information


  • Bob Huggins is nicknamed “Huggy Bear” because of his resemblance to actor Antonio Fargas, who played a character named Huggy Bear on the TV show Starsky & Hutch.
  • Bob Huggins once coached against his son Jacob when West Virginia played Arkansas State in 2018. West Virginia won 88–74.
  • Bob Huggins once wore a suit instead of his usual black sweatsuit for a game against Kansas State in 2015 as part of a charity event. West Virginia lost 59–58.
  • Bob Huggins once had a cameo appearance on the TV show Walker, Texas Ranger in 1999. He played himself as a basketball coach.
  • Bob Huggins once donated $250,000 to Walsh University, his former school, to help build a new basketball arena in 2009.