I'm a big believer in second chances. I don't think anyone deserves to be cast off into the sports abyss after just one error, one bad draft, or recently, three terrible mental lapses on the 17th hole at the Bay Hill Invitational (my apologies Greg Owen, I guess anyone can miss three puts from inside two feet).
Coaches, it seems, both need and receive the most second chances. Bill Belichik was nearly run out of Cleveland but now the folks in Foxborough would hate to see him go. Rick Pitino had a more-than-troublesome time in Boston, but has just finished his 5th season in Louisville and has given the fans of the Cardinals a great ride.
The latest head coach to get a second shot is Bob Huggins, formerly of Cincinnati. Huggins agreed to a five-year deal with Kansas State after being asked to resign from Cincinnati last August. Huggins had his fair share of trouble while with the Bearcats, most of it beginning when Nancy Zimpher took over as school president in 2003.
Upon her arrival, she expressed concerns over the perception of the program and was generally not pleased with Huggins. Zimpher's assessment of the reputation of the team while under Huggins may be credible. In addition to an NCAA probation in 1998, former Bearcats Roy Bright, who admitted to bringing a firearm on campus, and Tyree Evans, convicted of statutory rape, only added to the thug image of Cincinnati basketball.
Huggins himself was convicted of a DUI and sat out two months of the ‘04 season to start things out. Despite the stigma, Huggins has an impressive record. Since the 1989-'90 season, Huggins' first at U of C, the Bearcats made 14 NCAA tournaments, were ranked No. 1 in the nation for the first time in nearly 40 years and earned a Final Four berth in the ‘92 season.
It seems to be a perfect marriage. Kansas State has been a lackluster team in the Big 12 for nearly a decade and needs something —anything to kick-start their program. Huggins, on the other hand, after being run out of town needs a job, badly.
Since Huggins' first season at Cincinnati, he has won 399 games. Kansas State has won only 254. Both parties need this.
It's a great opportunity and challenge as well. Huggins was criticized for recruiting players without the necessary academic credentials while at Cincinnati, and in a very competitive Big 12 may be pressured to do so again. On a more personal note, Huggins has had a long time to think and will probably be a more responsible and disciplined coach this time around.
Huggins may make an impact on the Wildcats right away. As a respected coach, two of Ohio's top high school prospects have reportedly expressed interest in following Huggins to Kansas State. Huggins also has a strong track record with recruiting junior college transfers which would help bolster the roster immediately.
I hope Huggins does well in the Big 12 mostly for my own selfish reasons. Think of the matchups: Huggins vs. Eddie Sutton, Bobby Knight and Bill Self on a regular basis. Now that's just good college basketball.
Contact Connor at cgmcknight@wisc.edu.
