Controversial Departure
MORGANTOWN, W.V. – The former WVU head men’s basketball coach weighed in on the Bob Huggins WVU employment saga and released a statement on Monday saying that he never actually resigned his position and still considers himself to be employed by the university.
Following a DUI arrest on June 16, the school announced Huggins’ resignation and released a statement that allegedly was written by Huggins.
Bob Huggins WVU Employment Discrepancy
But on Monday, Huggins is saying that he did not draft the statement or give permission for its release. According to the 69 year old coach, “I did not draft or review WVU’s statement. This false statement was sent under my name, but no signature is included.”
Who drafted the letter? Huggins’ attorney David A. Campbell claims it was Huggins’ wife, June Huggins.
Added Huggins in his Monday statement: “I am employed by WVU pursuant to an Employment Agreement, I never submitted the notice required under the Employment Agreement to voluntarily resign.”
In May, Bob Huggins WVU employment was put under scrutiny as he made an anti-gay slur during a radio interview, which prompted WVU to change Huggins’ multi-year agreement to a year-by-year agreement. If Huggins is found to still legally be employed by WVU, his current contract would expire April 30, 2024.
University’s Stance
But it does not seem like any reinstallments or any checks will be issued any time soon. In the university’s response to a letter Campbell sent last week, WVU’s general counsel said “…the University will swiftly and aggressively defend itself from these spurious allegations.”
Longtime assistant Josh Eilert was elevated as interim coach last month. On July 2, Eilert announced his staff for the interim year, including assistant coaches De’Sean Butler, DerMarr Johnson, Jordan McCabe and Alex Ruoff. Ron Everhart, who was a top Huggins assistant from 2012-23, has moved over to a new position: Director of Community Relations and Player Outreach.