The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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May 13, 2008

Another reason to back Huggins

By Dave Morrison

Count West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins as a proponent for student-athletes living up to that sometimes lofty billing.

Recent allegations that USC guard and former Huntington standout O.J. Mayo accepted gifts from a “runner” for an agent did little to change Huggins’ mind on the matter.

Basketball players must now attend at least one year of college before they can enter the NBA draft.

Opponents of the measure say that the rule as it stands will only encourage more of the same for so-called elite players.

Huggins says hogwash.

“I think the longer we keep them in school, the better it is for the kids,” Huggins said. “I was a proponent of two years. I have two daughters. The thought of sending them out into the world without setting a foot on a college campus is scary.”

Huggins was at The Resort at Glade Springs Tuesday for the Mountaineer Caravan Auction, along with athletic director Ed Pastilong, football coach Bill Stewart, women’s basketball coach Mike Carey and other athletic department personnel.

Keep in mind, Huggins might lose potential All-American Joe Alexander, a rising senior, to the upcoming NBA draft.

“I talk to Joe every two or three days,” Huggins said. “Our job is to figure out what’s best for the student-athletes. Sometimes, it’s hard to figure out what is best. I’ve had guys I’ve told to go, because they weren’t going to get drafted any higher.

“And I’ve had guys I told to stay because I thought they could help themselves.”

Huggins didn’t say which way he had instructed Alexander to go, although it is widely believed that Alexander could help himself by coming back to West Virginia for his senior year.

Huggins mentioned that he was talking to a fan recently who told him that Alexander should come back.

“What if it was your son?” Huggins asked.

After a moment, the man responded, “Well, I’d probably have to think about it.”

For Huggins, the pride isn’t in how many players make it to the NBA, where the average career is a whopping three years.

“It’s not about how long you play in the NBA,” Huggins said. “It’s about a career. I’m just as proud of Terrence Gibson, my first recruit (at Cincinnati and now a corporate executive in the Cincinnati area) as I am Nick Van Exel, who played 13 years in the NBA.”

Huggins also noted that his longterm contract, a life time contract, if you will, signed last week, was appreciated, but he still shows up at work every day like he won’t be back again.

“For recruiting, it helps. Kids want to know who they’re playing for and that the coach is going to be there. But I go to work every day like it’s going to be my last.”

This is why Huggins has won 616 games.

Stewart and Pastilong had a little fun with the fact that quarterback Patrick White has been named to the prestigious Playboy All-American team.

“I have a 13-year-old son at home,” Stewart said. “I don’t know if I’ll have a copy. I’m going to have to talk to the bride about that.”

“Patrick’s going to bring back a box (of the issue with the All-American team in it),” Pastilong said. “I don’t know how we’ll keep him focused on football (while he’s at the Playboy mansion). If he needs someone to substitute for him, I’d be glad to help him out.”

First a kiss from ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews and now this? Some guys do have all the luck.

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