West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bob Huggins Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Bob Huggins to take massive pay cut to keep West Virginia job following scandal

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Jason Burgos | Last updated 5/10/23

Despite a scandal that seemed like it would lead to a dismissal, Bob Huggins will hold on to his head coaching job at West Virginia, however, he will take a historic pay cut to do so.

Bob Huggins, 69, has had a long highly respected run as a head coach in college basketball. But his time in the sport that started in 1984 looked to be in serious trouble after audio of him using an anti-homosexual slur went viral and led to a major backlash from Mountaineers fans and the sports world.

In today’s current climate, such a poor decision would usually lead to being fired. Even for such an esteemed name in the game. However, that will not be the case and Bob Huggins will remain the head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers for the foreseeable future.

On Wednesday, ESPN reported that Bob Huggins will retain his role with the university, but part of an agreement with school officials will see his future salary cut by $1 million from $4.2 million to $3.2 million. He will also be handed a significant suspension — which has yet to be determined — and he will need to attend sensitivity training.

Bob Huggins record (career): 863-389

The outlet reported that Bob Huggins met with West Virginia University President Gordon Gee on Tuesday, and after a conversation where he showed contrition for his remarks during an appearance on News Radio 700 WLW in Cincinnati, the decision was made to let him keep his job with the school. The determination was reportedly made by Gee and other key administrators at West Virginia.

During the infamous interview, the long-time coach was retelling a story from his days coaching at the University of Cincinnati, and that “rubber penises” were thrown on the court during a game against Xavier by saying it was done by “all those f*gs, those Catholic f*gs, I think.”

Bob Huggins has coached the West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball team since 2007. Leading the school to a 345-203 record. They have made 11 trips to the NCAA tournament and the 2010 Final Four.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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