A legal feud has erupted between disgraced college basketball coach Bob Huggins and West Virginia over whether he actually resigned from the school last month amid off-court controversies.
David A. Campbell, an attorney for the 69-year-old, sent a letter to West Virginia threatening to sue them on the coach's behalf, according to ESPN. He claimed Huggins did not formally resign and still intends to work for the program for the upcoming season. Campbell insisted it was Huggins' wife, June Huggins, who illegitimately told West Virginia he would step down.
"Regardless of WVU's reasons for reaching this point, WVU is faced with the following choices: (1) Reinstate Coach Huggins to his Head Basketball Coach position once the rehabilitation program is completed pursuant to the plain terms of the Employment Agreement; or (2) remain in breach of the Employment Agreement and face litigation," Campbell's letter reportedly said.
"The litigation will not only involve the breach of the Employment Agreement, but also WVU's clear violation of state and federal law by terminating Coach Huggins without due process or even an interview to determine the true facts, not those reported by the media."
West Virginia shot back by calling their all-time winningest coach's new claims "spurious," "meritless" and "frivolous" in a response letter sent to Campbell, according to ESPN.
"The conflicting communications and correspondence from various counsel on Mr. Huggins's behalf leave the University unclear as to its next steps: continue working collaboratively with Mr. Fitzsimmons on common resignation/retirement benefits for a former University employee and as outlined in Mr. Huggins' contract; or respond to meritless demand letters and possible frivolous litigation brought forth by you," said Stephanie D. Taylor, vice president and general counsel for West Virginia, in a letter to Campbell.
Police arrested and charged Huggins with driving under the influence after reportedly measuring his blood-alcohol content to be more than twice the legal limit. Authorities said he failed all sobriety tests and found garbage bags with empty beer containers inside his vehicle and in the trunk.
The alleged DUI in June came just weeks after Huggins used a homophobic slur on live radio. He called Xavier basketball fans "those f******, those Catholic f******."
According to West Virginia Metro News, a formal arraignment for Huggins amid his active DUI charge is scheduled for Aug. 17, at which time Huggins could have the opportunity to accept an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition. Police also arrested Huggins for a suspected DUI in June 2004.
West Virginia have denied the request to reinstate Huggins, writing, "Notwithstanding any response, and in no uncertain terms, the University will not accept Mr. Huggins' revocation of his resignation, nor will it reinstate him as head coach of the men's basketball program. Moreover, if Mr. Huggins or his counsel attempts to publicly suggest that he somehow did not resign and retire from his position, please be advised that the University will swiftly and aggressively defend itself from these spurious allegations."
There was a time when Huggins appeared untouchable in Morgantown, West Virginia. He has the third-most wins in Division I men's basketball history with 935 victories, and his coaching tactics earned rave reviews, the Mountaineers playing suffocating full-court defence for many years.
His recent controversies forced West Virginia to change their stance. The university announced assistant Josh Eilert as their interim head coach, with the program desperate to move on.
