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Debate: should Bob Huggins be in the Hall of Fame?

By Christopher Mangum

MORGANTOWN, WV - JANUARY 11: Head Coach Bob Huggins of the West Virginia Mountaineers looks on in the first half during a college basketball game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at the WVU Coliseum on January 11, 2022 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV - JANUARY 11: Head Coach Bob Huggins of the West Virginia Mountaineers looks on in the first half during a college basketball game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at the WVU Coliseum on January 11, 2022 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Huggins returns to West Virginia

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Bob Huggins of the West Virginia Mountaineers looks on during the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic college basketball game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at TD Arena on November 19, 2021 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Bob Huggins of the West Virginia Mountaineers looks on during the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic college basketball game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at TD Arena on November 19, 2021 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

In 2007 Bob Huggins would replace John Beilein as the head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers. In the Mountaineers 2006-07 campaign, they failed to make the NCAA tournament; however, in Huggins’ first season West Virginia would make it to the Sweet Sixteen and compile a 26-11 record.

In Huggins’ third season as head coach he would lead his former team to the Final Four, the Mountaineers second ever Final Four appearance in program history.

Since Huggins’ Final Four appearance, the Mountaineers have made it to the Sweet Sixteen three more times and have been viewed as a national competitor since his arrival. The only thing that evades his legacy is a National Championship.

In 2020-21 the Mountaineers would finish ranked 13th in both the coaches and AP polls and see a second-round exit in the NCAA tournament. In 2021-22, it is possible that the Mountaineers may not make the tournament at all.

If Huggins had a championship ring, there would be less debate surrounding his legacy; however, since Huggins has never led any of his teams to a championship, some still debate still surrounds whether or not he should be allowed into the Hall of Fame.

Notably, Huggins has one conference title with the Mountaineers and is yet to win a Big 12 Championship since joining the conference in 2012

Authors opinion:

For decades, Huggins has been one of the most respected names in college basketball. Though the time to retire could be soon for Huggins, his career accomplishments speak for themselves.

When the time comes, there is no doubt in the minds of many (including my own) that Huggins will be allowed into the Basketball Hall of Fame, where he belongs.

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