Bob Huggins moving ahead in Coaches Charity Challenge

Bob Huggins is No. 1 in the hearts of many Mountaineer fans. Soon, he could be No. 1 among his peers.

This week, Huggins moved ahead in the ESPN Infiniti Coaches Charity Challenge.

He is now competing against 24 coaches. There were 47 vying for the title when the voting commenced two weeks ago.

Huggins has already outlasted notable coaches, such as Jim Boeheim of Syracuse, Mike Brey of Notre Dame, Jamie Dixon of Pittsburgh, Bill Self of Kansas and even Mike Krzyzewski of Duke.

Now, he is taking on the likes of Villanova’s Jay Wright, Auburn’s Bruce Pearl and Michigan’s John Beilein, who preceded Huggins at WVU.

Huggins is one of three Big 12 coaches remaining. Iowa State’s Steve Prohm and Oklahoma’s Lon Kruger are still alive in the voting.

Every coach in the challenge is vying for a grand prize of $100,000 which will go to the charity of the winning coach’s choice. Huggins is playing for the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Research Endowment.

"“Since it’s gotten exposure, there’s been a few people who have just come in and donated some money which is fantastic,” Huggins said back in 2012.  “It’s such a great cause and we have a terrific cancer center that is doing great things.” More from Hail WVEvery West Virginia potential March Madness venue in 2023 NCAA TournamentWest Virginia March Madness Schedule: When do the Mountaineers play next? (Updated March 12)West Virginia vs. Kansas prediction and odds for Saturday, February 25 (Take Mountaineers as underdogs)WVU Football Recruiting: Mountaineers make Malik Hartford’s short listPreviewing WVU basketball against Oklahoma State"

Throughout the year, Huggins, the basketball program and West Virginia University put on several events that raise money for the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Research Endowment, which is named for Bob’s mother.

On Feb. 5, Little General Stores is sponsoring the annual Bob Huggins Fish Fry.

"“I’m very excited to host my annual Fish Fry again in February to benefit two causes important to me and people of West Virginia,” Huggins said. “I’ve always said our coal miners and coal mining families are the best people in the world and we have an opportunity to make a difference in cancer research, for a horrible disease that affects so many, and we can do it right here at home through the WVU Cancer Institute.”"

By getting past Round 1, Huggins has already received a total of $8,500 for the cause. There are three more rounds to go before the nationwide champion is crowned by ESPN and Infiniti.

You can choose Huggins in the Coaches Charity Challenge by voting here.