Huggins never resigned from WVU, lawyer says

• Myron Medcalf, ESPN Personnel WriterJul 8, 2023, 11:19 PM ET

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  • Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

Weeks after Bob Huggins revealed his resignation following a DUI arrest, a lawyer for the previous West Virginia men’s basketball coach declares he never ever formally resigned last month and stated Huggins will take legal action against the university if he’s not reinstated.In action, the university, which revealed the hiring of long time assistant Josh Eilert as interim coach last month, said it will not restore Huggins and will safeguard itself versus any “spurious allegations. “Last month, Huggins announced

his resignation through a statement that stated”recent actions do not represent the worths of the University or the leadership expected in this role”after he had actually been jailed in Pittsburgh for driving under the impact and signing up a blood alcohol material of 0.21%, almost three times the legal limitation. The arrest came nearly 6 weeks after Huggins had utilized an anti-gay slur during a radio interview that prompted a three-game suspension and a $1 million reduction in salary.According to files launched by the university Saturday, however, Huggins ‘legal team

sent out a letter to Gordon Gee, WVU’s president, on Friday that specified Huggins never ever formally resigned. The letter also said Huggins got in rehabilitation after his arrest last month and plans to return to his post as head coach when he finishes the program.Editor’s Picks 2 Related In his letter, which was obtained by ESPN, David A. Campbell, an attorney representing Huggins, stated Huggins’resignation correspondence with the school did not originate from him however from his wife, June Huggins. Campbell claims Huggins never provided WVU a”official”resignation.”Based on press statements, it appears that WVU is taking the position that Coach Huggins willingly resigned and ended the Employment Agreement in advance of April 30, 2024(the day his present contract was set to expire ), “Campbell wrote. “However, although journalism statements profess to have resignation communications directly from Coach Huggins to you and/or the Athletic Director, Coach Huggins has actually never interacted his resignation to you, the Athletic Director, or anybody at WVU. To the contrary, we understand that the supposed’resignation ‘is incredibly based upon a text from Coach Huggins ‘partner.”The university on Saturday released an e-mail that was sent from an account coming from “June Huggins “– Huggins ‘partner– to athletic director Wren Baker the day the head coach announced his resignation that said,”

Please accept this correspondence as my formal notification of resignation as WVU Head Basketball Coach and as notice of my retirement from West Virginia University, effective immediately.” The school also stated it has actually had continuous conversations with Huggins ‘legal agents– not Campbell– in recent weeks that recommend the previous coach comprehended he had actually resigned and had actually even been going over the next steps of the resignation and retirement with Bob Fitzsimmons and James” Rocky “Gianola, 2 attorneys who have actually historically represented the former West Virginia coach, as recently as Friday.”The clashing interactions and correspondence from numerous counsel on Mr. Huggins’s behalf leave the University uncertain as to its next actions: continue working collaboratively with Mr. Fitzsimmons on common resignation/retirement benefits for a former University staff member and as described in Mr. Huggins’contract; or respond

to meritless demand letters and possible pointless litigation produced by you,”said Stephanie D. Taylor, vice president and general counsel for West Virginia, in a letter to Campbell.In his letter to West Virginia, Campbell stated the school can either restore Huggins after a”breach of contract “or deal with a legal battle.”Had WVU merely waited a weekend and took a look at the(DUI) situation with the benefit of consulting with Coach Huggins, we are positive that WVU would have chosen a various path,”Campbell’s letter stated.” However, no matter WVU’s reasons for reaching this point, WVU is faced with the following options: (1)Reinstate Coach Huggins to his Head Basketball Coach position once the rehab

program is completed pursuant to the plain regards to the Employment Agreement; or( 2)remain in breach of the Work Agreement and face litigation. The lawsuits will not only include the breach of the Work Arrangement, but likewise WVU’s clear offense of state and federal law by terminating Coach Huggins without due process or even an interview to identify the real facts, not those reported by the media.”The school reacted and stated it will not restore Huggins, who won 935 games in his career.”Regardless of any response, and in no unsure terms, the University will not accept Mr. Huggins’cancellation of his resignation, nor will it reinstate him as head coach of the men’s basketball program, “Taylor’s letter read. “Moreover, if Mr. Huggins or his counsel attempts to publicly recommend that he in some way did not resign and retire from his position, please be advised that the University will quickly and strongly defend itself from these spurious accusations.”News of Huggins ‘claim and the letter from Campbell was initially reported by wvmetronews.com.