Wednesday was a day for issuing statements surrounding the West Virginia men’s basketball team and program.
Athletic Director Wren Baker started off the day with a public statement announcing both his thanks for Josh Eilert’s time as head coach and the official start of a replacement for him. Eilert’s comments quickly followed, in a letter to Mountaineer Nation, thanking them and closing his chapter of almost two decades at WVU.
Shortly after the two expected statements, the unexpected happened.
Ken Kendrick, famed donor and founder of the Country Roads Trust, as well as owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks, spoke with local news anchor Hoppy Kercheval on his syndicated show. Kendrick’s comments were not the most favorable of the Hall of Fame head coach and made it clear that he did not see Huggins returning to coaching at West Virginia in any capacity.
“His [Huggins] future with WVU sports is totally at an end.” Kendrick said.
Huggins would respond through social media on Wednesday, going through his foundation’s social media account to release a statement.
Huggins said he understands that his situation invites criticism. He also said the state of West Virginia gets viewed in a negative light quite often and that he knows how people suffer from addiction.
Huggins closed saying, “I continue to learn from my mistakes. We all have our critics. Like me, you may be your own worst critic. But as we know well in West Virginia, pressure makes diamonds. Keep Pressing.”
