Bob Huggins net worth in 2024 has been a popular topic for fans of college basketball. Known for his long career as a successful coach, Huggins has made a big name for himself in the sports world. He spent decades building strong teams and earning respect from players and fans alike.
Let’s take a closer look at his earnings and the sources of his wealth.
Bob Huggins in Brief
| Full Name | Bob Huggins |
| Date of Birth | September 21, 1953 |
| Place of Birth | Morgantown, West Virginia |
| Occupation | Basketball Coach |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Spouse | June Huggins |
| Children | Jenna Leigh and Jacqueline |
| Net Worth | $12 million |
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What is Bob Huggins Net Worth in 2024?
Bob Huggins is an American college basketball coach who has an estimated net worth of $12 million as of 2024 according to Sportskeeda. Bob Huggins made most of his money as a basketball coach. He spent over 40 years coaching college basketball teams. His highest-paid job was at West Virginia University, where he worked from 2007 until 2023. During his time there, he earned about $4 million per year, including his salary and bonuses.
His contracts also included extra money for things like speaking at events and media appearances. Over his career, it is estimated he earned tens of millions of dollars. His wealth also comes from endorsements and investments made during his time as a coach.
Bob Huggins’ Early Life
Robert Huggins, also called “Huggy Bear,” is a famous American basketball coach. He was born on September 21, 1953. People know him for leading college basketball teams to success. Bob Huggins moved with his family from Morgantown, West Virginia, to Port Washington, Ohio. He played basketball at Indian Valley South High School under his father, Charles.
As a senior, he helped his team go undefeated with a 26–0 season. Huggins was an all-state player for three years and was named Ohio Player of the Year in 1972. He finished high school with 2,438 points, ranking twelfth in Ohio history.
Huggins started college at Ohio University. After one year, he transferred to West Virginia University (WVU). He played point guard for the Mountaineers from 1975 to 1977 under head coach Joedy Gardner. Huggins’ best game was scoring 28 points against Virginia Tech. He averaged 13.2 points per game in his senior year and ended his college career with 800 points over three seasons.
Huggins graduated from WVU with honors, earning a double major in education and physical education. He later got a master’s degree in health administration from WVU.
Bob Huggins’ Coaching Career
Early Coaching Career
Bob Huggins started his coaching career in 1977 as a graduate assistant at West Virginia. He then spent two years as an assistant coach at Ohio State. At 27, he became the head coach at Walsh University in 1980. In three seasons there, he had a 71-26 record and won Coach of the Year honors twice. His 1982-83 team went undefeated in the regular season. After a short time as an assistant at the University of Central Florida, he became head coach at the University of Akron, where he led the team to three post-season appearances.
Coaching at Cincinnati
Huggins became the head coach at the University of Cincinnati in 1989. When he started, the team hadn’t made the NCAA tournament since 1977. In his third year, Cincinnati reached the Final Four. Huggins’ teams made it to the NCAA tournament every year he coached, from 1989 to 2005. He helped Cincinnati win 10 conference titles and 8 league tournament titles. Huggins also coached several top players like Danny Fortson, Kenyon Martin, and Steve Logan.
Huggins earned awards like Conference USA Coach of the Year three times and National Coach of the Year in 2002. His teams made the NCAA tournament 13 straight years, and he led them to the Elite Eight twice. However, his graduation rate for players was very low, and it became a controversial issue.
Resignation from Cincinnati
In 2004, Huggins was arrested for DUI. After this, Cincinnati’s president, Nancy L. Zimpher, decided to part ways with him in 2005. She wanted to improve the university’s academic image and felt Huggins’ issues with arrests and his style of coaching didn’t align with her goals. Huggins was given the option to resign or be reassigned. He chose to take the $3 million buyout.
Coaching at Kansas State
In 2006, Huggins became the head coach at Kansas State University. In his one season there, he led the Wildcats to a 23-12 record and an NIT appearance. Huggins coached players like O. J. Mayo and Bill Walker during his brief time at Kansas State.
West Virginia Career
Huggins moved to West Virginia University in 2007, where he coached for 16 years until 2023. During this time, he became one of the top coaches in college basketball. He helped the team earn 345 coaching wins, second only to Gale Catlett in WVU history.
Time at West Virginia
Bob Huggins became the head coach at West Virginia University in 2007. He replaced John Beilein who left for Michigan. Huggins quickly made an impact, winning his 600th game in 2007. His team made it to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament, where they beat Duke. However, they lost to Xavier in the next round. After his first season, Huggins signed an 11-year contract extension.
Big Wins and Challenges
In 2009, Huggins’ team had a strong year, winning 31 games. They won the Big East tournament and made it to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament. This was the team’s second time reaching the Final Four. Huggins continued to lead the team for several years, reaching his 700th career victory in 2011.
However, not all seasons were perfect. In 2012-2013, West Virginia struggled in the Big 12, finishing with a losing record. This was a tough time for Huggins, but he worked hard to turn the team around.
Press Virginia
In 2014, Huggins introduced a new defensive style called “Press Virginia”. This strategy helped West Virginia win many games, but it also had its problems. In the 2016 NCAA tournament, the team lost to Stephen F. Austin after struggling with turnovers. Despite the challenges, Huggins continued to coach the team and reached his 900th career win in 2021.
Controversial Moments
In 2023, Huggins made offensive remarks on a radio show. He used a homophobic slur and insulted Xavier fans. This led to calls for his resignation. Huggins apologized, but the situation caused anger among some people at West Virginia University. Despite the backlash, many of the university’s top donors supported him.
Drunk Driving Incident
On June 16, 2023, Huggins was arrested for driving under the influence in Pittsburgh. Police found him in a car with a flat tire and empty beer cans. His blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. This incident added to the pressure on Huggins.
Resignation and Retirement
Just a day after his arrest, Huggins announced his resignation from West Virginia. However, he later claimed that he had not resigned. He even considered taking legal action to get his job back. West Virginia University was confused by his claims and decided to move on without him.
In the end, Bob Huggins’ career was filled with both successes and controversies. He left behind a lasting impact on West Virginia basketball but also faced serious personal challenges.
Bob Huggins’ Personal life
Family
Bob Huggins was born on September 21, 1953, in Morgantown, West Virginia. He is married to June Huggins and has two daughters. Huggins’ family has a history of heart problems. His father had a heart attack before turning 40.
Health Struggles
In 2002, Huggins had a heart attack while at Pittsburgh International Airport. He received treatment at a hospital in Beaver, Pennsylvania, and had surgery to place a stent. Later, due to heart issues, Huggins had a defibrillator implanted. In 2017, during a game against Texas, the defibrillator went off, causing him to collapse. He was checked by medical staff and continued coaching after a short break.
Fish Fry Event
The Bob Huggins Fish Fry has been held 11 times, with the most recent event on January 27, 2023. The event raises money for charity, and in 2023, it broke records with 2,700 people attending. Charles Barkley was the special guest. The event has raised over $16 million for charities like the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Research Endowment Fund, named after Huggins’ mother, and Remembering the Miners.
Charitable Donations
Huggins had a special contract with WVU. For each win against Kansas, he received a $25,000 bonus, which he donated to the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Research Endowment Fund. He has also organized fundraising events for WVU and made personal donations with his wife. After using a gay slur to describe Xavier University students, he made a “substantial donation” to support Xavier’s Center for Faith and Justice and Center for Diversity and Inclusion.
