LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Appearing on The Jerry Eaves radio show Wednesday morning, Naismith Hall of Fame coach Bob Huggins said that he wants to be considered for the University of Louisville men’s basketball job.
“I think it fits me perfect,” Huggins said.
He said he had tackled and succeeded in rebuilding situations like the one facing Louisville at Cincinnati, Kansas State and West Virginia.
It was the first time Huggins publicly expressed interest in the position. He said he had not had any conversations with anybody involved in the Louisville search but wants that opportunity to talk.
At this point in the search, Louisville is reportedly looking at other candidates, including Richard Pitino of New Mexico and Pat Kelsey of Charleston. Scott Drew of Baylor and Dusty May of Florida Atlantic were the leading candidates when the search began.
Even though he won 935 games and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., in 2022, Huggins does not fit the criteria outlined by U of L athletic director Josh Heird when he dismissed Kenny Payne on March 13.
Huggins will turn 71 before the start of next season and he was dismissed by West Virginia last June after he was arrested in Pittsburgh and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Police found his vehicle blocking traffic with a shredded tire. A breath test determined that his blood alcohol level was 0.21%, more than double the legal limit of 0.08.
Huggins had a previous arrest for driving under the influence in Ohio in 2004.
That incident in Pittsburgh came a month after Huggins appeared on a Cincinnati radio show and used a homophobic slur while talking about fans at rival Xavier University. Huggins later apologized for his words.
During the interview with Eaves, Huggins said that he completed a rehab program and has not had any alcohol in more than 300 days. He said he was in excellent health and expected that he could coach for 10-to-15 more years.
“I put butts in the seats for Louisville when I was at Cincinnati,” Huggins said.
Huggins also said that he has not followed the decline of Louisville basketball over the last seven years closely but that his plan to fix the program would be similar to the one he used at Cincinnati, Kansas State and West Virginia — building relationships with players and hard work. He said that he was not discouraged by the challenges created by the transfer portal and Name/Image/Likeness matters.
“I'm really excited,” Huggins said. “I would be really excited to be there.
“I would want to be and do what what Coach (Denny) Crum did. I've always had a love for Louisville, believe it or not. I love going to Louisville and playing. I love the fan base, the way the way they embrace the team, the way they they embrace Louisville basketball.
“I think it's a great place. I think it's something that fits me perfectly. Much like Cincinnati did when I got to Cincinnati.
“I mean Cincinnati, Cincinnati was in dire straits when I got there and the city of Cincinnati fell in love with what we did, the way we played, who we played.
“We weren't afraid. We weren't afraid to play anybody. And I think the people that we brought in to Cincinnati to play were people that ended up being NBA All Stars and I think they appreciated the fact that we didn't hide from anybody.
“We were gonna play whoever it was. Line them up and let’s go play. And I think that's the mentality that Louisville people would would like to see.
“Not running and hiding from people, but rather challenging people. Come on, we're ready. Come on, come try to beat and that's been my philosophy anywhere I’ve ever been.”
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