Bob Huggins’ family discloses progressive cognitive condition before Cincinnati honour

Bob Huggins’ family said on Wednesday, October 21, that the Hall of Fame basketball coach is living with a progressive cognitive condition affecting his memory and aspects of daily life. The family shared the news ahead of his scheduled induction into the University of Cincinnati Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, October 23.

The statement, released by the University of Cincinnati, did not identify a specific diagnosis. Huggins’ family said it had kept the matter private for several months and chose to speak publicly as he prepared to return to the university for the honour.

Why Huggins’ family disclosed his condition now

‘Although Bob and his family recognize the challenges that lie ahead, they remain focused on the relationships, experiences and moments that bring him joy,’ the family said, according to ESPN. It asked for privacy, compassion and understanding.

Huggins’ Cincinnati and West Virginia coaching career

Huggins coached Cincinnati from 1989 to 2005 and won 399 games there, the most by a Bearcats basketball coach. His teams reached 14 consecutive NCAA tournaments during that stretch. He later coached Kansas State for one season before taking charge at West Virginia, where he spent 16 seasons and reached the Final Four in 2010.

His coaching career also included Walsh and Akron. Across those posts, he led teams to 26 NCAA tournaments and two Final Fours, ESPN reported. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022; Friday’s planned Cincinnati ceremony is a separate honour from the university where he built the longest run of his career.

Huggins left West Virginia in 2023 following an arrest for driving under the influence. CBS Sports reported that he initially said he had resigned, then later disputed whether he had formally done so. The family’s announcement concerns his current health and his planned return to Cincinnati for the induction.