How touching...
Huggins: ‘It was a good run’
Fights back tears as he speaks to die-hard fans
By Christy Arnold
Enquirer staff writer
SYCAMORE TOWNSHIP – There was a lot of lovin’ for Bob Huggins on Thursday night.
Hundreds turned out for a rally at the Willie’s Bar and Grill here to support the now-former University of Cincinnati basketball coach.
Huggins, making his first public appearance and comments since he agreed Wednesday to walk away from his job for $3 million, fought back tears as he spoke to more than 500 die-hard fans.
“I just want to say thank you for the wonderful 16 years,” Huggins said before asking for a moment to compose himself. “It’s been 16 great years here.”
Huggins’ involvement with the university extended beyond the basketball arena, where he made a name for himself with an aggressive coaching style and courtside antics. His oldest daughter, Jenna, graduated from UC this year.
Huggins’ wife, June, said the family plans to remain at least awhile. Jenna will attend Northern Kentucky University this winter to obtain a master’s degree in sports management.
And younger daughter Jackie attends Cincinnati State University.
Future plans remain uncertain, as the coach has received no job offers, June Huggins said.
Trading in his usual red-and-black sweat suit for an orange Hawaiian shirt, Huggins uttered no negative words toward the university, which showed him the door after he delivered an unprecedented 399 wins.
“It’s a great school,” Huggins said. “They’re great people. I’ve been blessed to have some of the greatest people I’ve met play for me.”
Many of those former players reunited at the pub to show support for their old coach.
“He was one of the best coaches I had,” said Corie Blount, former UC player and an 11-year veteran of the NBA. “He was the one who saw potential in me.”
Tarrice Gibson was the second recruit signed by Huggins at UC.
“He’s a great man – who only wanted to lead others to be great men,” said Gibson, who played for Huggins from 1989 to 1993.
“I love the university, and I love my coach,” said former UC player Melvin Levett. “He’s been there for me, and I’m here for him.”
The former players mingled around the bar and signed autographs, but there was a feeling of sadness in the air.
“It’s like your dad’s basketball funeral,” said former Bearcat Keith Starks. “It’s just tough – it really is.”
Alex Meacham, a North Avondale native, walked onto the UC team without a scholarship and later wrote a book about his experiences. Without Huggins, Meacham said, he likely wouldn’t be an author or vice president of Shining Star Sports, which trains and coaches 360 aspiring basketball players.
“I owe a lot to him,” Meacham said.
Huggins called the large show of support “wonderful.”
He reminisced about the runs for the NCAA Championship as fans shouted “Huggins!” or “16 more years!”
“I don’t know how anyone can be more fortunate than I to have had the guys who played for me,” Huggins said. “It was a good run, and I certainly want to support the guys we have here.”
Huggins spoke for about 10 minutes before stepping down from the stage and into a standing-room-only crowd. Fans raised their beers, clapped and thanked the coach. He circled the pub’s interior for more than 30 minutes, shaking hands and signing his autograph to everything put in front of him.
The rally was organized by talk-radio host Bill Cunningham of WLW-AM (700). But for some fans, the farewell was personal.
Little Miami High School basketball coach Mike Martin fought cancer last winter.
“Bob personally signed a ball for me,” Martin said.
He wished Huggins well Thursday night and told the coach: “You come back when they name a street for you.”
Huggins, joined by his family, then got into his white Lexus SUV and pulled away from the bar and grill as hundreds stood outside applauding.