MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — The search for the next men’s head basketball coach is heating up as the season winds down, and although Bob Huggins was arrested and forced to resign over the summer, many people want Huggs to return to his stool next season.
According to sources, wealthy donor Ike Morris of Glenville, West Virginia apparently is one of those people. Morris, the owner of the Waco Oil and Gas Company, is estimated to be worth approximately $150-$200 million dollars, and is a major contributor to West Virginia University. At a recent fundraiser, Morris reportedly stood up and said the following:
“I will do whatever necessary to get Bob Huggins back in at West Virginia.”
Huggins, 70, is 3rd on the all-time wins list for college basketball coaches with 935 wins behind only former Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski (1,202) and Syracuse’s former head coach Jim Boeheim (1015). Although Huggins has stated that he wants to coach again, and would certainly be open to the idea of returning as the head coach of the Mountaineers next season, West Virginia President Gordon Gee has made it clear that it won’t happen.
“I am a great admirer of Coach Huggins in so many different ways, he’s done many good things for our state and for our university, so that’s the reason I’m so immensely disappointed in him. For the fact he was given a second chance and just did not perform at the level that he should,” Gee said. “I hope that Coach Huggins will move on with his life too and take good care of himself and his family.” When asked if he could see Huggins returning as the head coach at West Virginia again, Gee responded by saying, “No. None.”
Despite this, Huggins has a lot of support in the state of West Virginia and many people desperately want him to return to lead the Mountaineers.
What do you think? Should Bob Huggins be welcomed back as the head coach at West Virginia? Let us know in the comments below!
Breaking News: 🚨 🚨 Ike Morris says he will do whatever it takes to get Bob Huggins back to coach WVU Basketball last week at a fundraiser with about 150 of WVU’s biggest donors in attendance. 😬
— matt kelly (@Matt_Kelly310) February 19, 2024
Ike Morris, the owner of Waco Oil and Gas Company, and major donor worth an estimated $150-$200 million, reportedly stood up at a fundraiser recently and said the following:
“I will do whatever necessary to get Bob Huggins back in at West Virginia.” #WVU pic.twitter.com/u8Xmz4LKPr
— The Voice of Morgantown (@voicemorgantown) February 19, 2024
