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Bob Huggins' family says Hall of Fame coach has progressive cognitive condition
The family of Hall of Fame basketball coach Bob Huggins announced Wednesday, Oct. 21, that he is living with a progressive cognitive condition. They said it has begun to affect his memory and aspects of his daily life.
The statement was released in coordination with the University of Cincinnati. It did not name a specific diagnosis.
"While the family has chosen to keep this matter private over the past several months, they believe this is an appropriate time to share the news with the many people who have supported Bob throughout his remarkable career," the statement said.
The timing is tied to Friday. Huggins is set to be inducted into the school's James P. Kelly Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 23, the night before Cincinnati's homecoming football game against Texas Tech.
What the family said
The family said it recognizes "the challenges that lie ahead" but is focused on "the relationships, experiences, and moments that bring him joy." It named his wife, June, and daughters Jenna and Jacqueline as among those surrounding him.
The family asked for "privacy, compassion, and understanding" and said it will not provide further comment on his health.
A joint statement from the family and the university said Huggins is "looking forward to returning to Cincinnati this weekend, celebrating with former players and friends." He is expected to attend Friday's ceremony.
Cincinnati Athletics called him "undoubtedly one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history." It said he "restored Cincinnati basketball to national prominence" and extended its "heartfelt support" to Huggins and his family.
The career
Huggins coached at Cincinnati from 1989 to 2005. The Bearcats reached the 1992 Final Four and started a run of 14 straight NCAA tournament appearances. His nearly 400 wins there are the most at any program in school history.
He went on to coach one season at Kansas State, then took over at his alma mater, West Virginia, in 2007. In 16 seasons in Morgantown he went 345-203, reached 11 NCAA tournaments and made the 2010 Final Four. His exit came in the summer of 2023, when he resigned following a DUI arrest.
Earlier stops included Walsh University and Akron. Counting every level, his 935 career wins rank eighth all time among men's coaches. His Division I record is 863-389.
He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022. Six of his former players went in the first round of the NBA Draft.
The coaching tree
The family's statement stressed the people over the numbers. It said his "defining passion has always been the young men he coached" and credited "generations of former players" with benefiting from his "mentorship, loyalty, and lifelong friendship."
That shows up in who came through his staffs. Mick Cronin, Frank Martin, Brad Underwood, Andy Kennedy, Darris Nichols, Erik Martin and Joe Mazzulla have all become head coaches. Jerrod Calhoun, a former Huggins assistant at West Virginia and Cincinnati, is in his first season leading the Bearcats.
What comes next
The induction is Friday, Oct. 23, and the Bearcats host Texas Tech the next day. Huggins is expected to be there, with former players and friends.
The family has not said when the condition was identified or what treatment is under way, and it has said it will not discuss his health further.
Sources used for this briefing
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