The Official Bob Huggins Thread

[Bearcat04]

I loved Huggins as the coach of UC.

Now he's just a fat man that I hope we beat.

 

[ME80]

To be clear, when I say I don't want to embarrass him, I don't mean just in us intentionally trying to, I literally would prefer it be a close game. I'd would definitely take a blowout over a loss. (I'm not that wierd) But again, I'd take a 7pt win over a 20pt win. I'd like for us to get the win, without him looking bad.

I'm sure Alum and others may have a field day with that comment. As for Ralph, well he can think whatever. I'll write it out some more tomorrow. It should be a doosy for the Huggs haters. I actually dig this thread. This is a big game for a lot of UC fans but you have to walk on eggshells on other sites.

Embarrass his team, no I wouldn't do that. But, if it happened to be a game where everything went through the nets like 2007-2008 (62-39), I would not call off the dogs. Why, because I know Bob would not if he was on the other end of a game like that. He would press, etc until the last minute of the game.

 

[Thegreatone]

And so has the perception about UC being a powerhouse...

We were a very good program. No where near a powerhouse. Final Fours are what matter. Who gives a shit about elite 8's???

Also, you are dead wrong about the recruits. Huggins and Kennedy really struggled to graduate players and UC was facing some NCAA penalties and lose of scholarships if we didn't graduate all of our players. I am not even talking about trouble with the law.

Mick taking Lance who biggest issue was allegations of groping. Most schools that's backed off was because off was because of possible recruiting violations.

 

[swg]

Thoughts on Huggins are about the same as BK. Great coach while he was here, but UC and its fans need to move on somewhat.

Oh yeah, the Huggins Inn was named after another Huggins.

 

[anbuc88]

To be clear, when I say I don't want to embarrass him, I don't mean just in us intentionally trying to, I literally would prefer it be a close game. I'd would definitely take a blowout over a loss. (I'm not that wierd) But again, I'd take a 7pt win over a 20pt win. I'd like for us to get the win, without him looking bad.

I'm sure Alum and others may have a field day with that comment. As for Ralph, well he can think whatever. I'll write it out some more tomorrow. It should be a doosy for the Huggs haters. I actually dig this thread. This is a big game for a lot of UC fans but you have to walk on eggshells on other sites.

I think there is only one true Huggs hater on here, and thats Ralph. I also don't want to embarass Huggins, but a 20 point victory against a good team would be better for the teams confidence, than a 1 point victory. I don't think that we truly have to worry about this, as the one thing about Huggins teams is they almost never get blown out. Like a lot of us on this board, I will be there (with a WVU alum and fan, unfortunately) and can't wait for Saturday night.

 

[ucswais]

I actually think they are both very good coaches. Mick has had way more moments the last 4 years that made me think we're headed back to national relevance than moments that made me think we need a coaching change. Right now, I'm very happy he's our coach.

Still, I think some of you are downplaying what Huggins did here. Discounting his record based on the conference and not the schedule as a whole as crazy. Sure, they went from 5 or 6 really hard conference games to 10 or 12. They also went from 5 or 6 really hard OOC games to 1 or 2. His regular season success was legit. Most people are complaining about his tournament record, but lets be honest with ourselves. UC is a good basketball school its not Duke. Having that consistent success and making the tourney with a few deep runs sprinkled in is unbelievable success for almost any school in the country including UC.

I think Cronin may be headed that direction, but not because its easy and not because UC can "expect" that. Its because Cronin, like Huggins, is doing a very good job right now at UC. If that translates into 14 straight NCAA tourneys with a few deep runs, we'd probably all call him a great coach. Downplaying the guy who already did that doesn't make any sense though.

 

[anbuc88]

Not a bad league is no where near the same as the best league in the country every year.

Here is my take on this whole thing:

I loved Bob Huggins while he was at UC and I still like to see him do well. I was pulling hard for him in the Tourney last year and I was really hoping he would finally get that elusive NCAA Title as bittersweet as it would have been. He was always nice to me any time I saw him on campus and I was there during some great years (Kenyon's senior year was my freshman year). When Bob was fired, I was pissed. I thought the timing was ridiculous and I knew that going through the year with an interim coach that wasn't recruiting for UC was going to set the program back big time. I wrote letters to the athletic department expressing my displeasure for how the whole thing went down and when it went down. I wanted to hate UC forever for what they did but I couldn't. I love the university way too much for that but I was concerned that UC Basketball would never be good again. As much as I hated having to defend the program to other fans because of the media sensationalism on many things (like the thug perception), I hated the thought of having a crappy team more.

And then Mike Thomas hired Mick Cronin. I was among the many fans who booed Mick every time he came back to UC with Louisville. I booed because the recruiting was never as good after he left and I couldn't believe a UC grad would do that to his alma mater. And then I thought about why he left and whether I would have done the same thing in his situation. The answer was yes. Mick left because he wanted to be a head coach and Pitino has a better record of getting his assistants head coaching jobs than Huggins did. You have to look out for number 1 first. Did it hurt as a UC fan? Absolutely it did, but when the program was at it's lowest and no one wanted the job, Mick Cronin wanted it. He wanted it despite Pitino's advice that it wasn't a good job to take right now. He wanted to be the guy to bring UC back to where it should be on the national stage. How can you not love and appreciate the guy for that? As much as we all hate to admit it, UC is not a destination job for any coach except for Mick Cronin. If he does well, he could be our Jim Boeheim or Coach K. Mick won't ponder leaving UC for WVU like Huggins did at least once. He will be a lifer here. We may never find a football coach who feels so strongly about this university as Mick Cronin does. Why people don't want to give him every benefit of the doubt is unbelievable to me.

I will continue to give Mick every benefit of the doubt until he proves to me he is undeserving. I think he is a heck of a coach and his recruiting history speaks for himself. Players like playing for him and other coaches respect him for what he has done at UC. However this works out for him, I will always be appreciative for what he did for the program when it was at it's lowest. I don't think another coach could have done what he has done so far. I want UC to win every game by 30, whether it is against Huggins or not. It's nothing against Huggs but I just want to see domination every night out. I know that is an unrealistic expectation but there's no reason not to hope for it.

Sorry for the long winded response, but now you all know where I stand on this topic.

One of the best posts EVER penned at BCT. This is exactly how I feel, and most of us(IMO) feel. The vitriol against Cronin by certain posters is difficult to understand. There is certain personal nature about it, and it has nothing to do with basketball. I have my opinion on this, and voiced it earlier last week, and will not derail this thread with this. Suffice to say, those who are rooting against Cronin are rooting aginst the long term inerests of the program.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Bob Huggins in 16 years: 2 elite 8 appearances, 1 final four

Mick Cronin in 4 years: nothing.

There's no way you can caompare Mick's first four season with that of Bob Huggins. This program had lost two full seasons of recruiting. The brand name was damaged. Pretty of news coverage but none of it good. Recruiting guidelines, and you could go on and on.

I think Bob Huggins is one of the premiere coaches in college basketball. He's won everywhere he's been. Huggs is a huge character, works his a$$ off, hardcore, blue collar, everyday guy what you'd love to have a beer with. Oh, btw, he's also the 5th winningest active coach with over 600 wins.

All that said, Mick is taking out the garbage Huggins helped create. His ego and decision to fight Nancy Zimpher in a power move, along with his personal and player problems had damaged the University of Cincinnati name. UC was the Cincinnati Bengals of college basketball by the time Huggins was dismissed.

Bob Huggins is a paradox. What he built up, he helped nearly destroy. To follow that roller coaster ride would have been impossible for any but a handful of college coaches. Coach K, Roy Williams and Tom Izzo weren't coming.

Mick has never gotten the respect he deserves for what he's done for this basketball program. Mick was the right guy for the right time when he was hired and appears (up to this point in this season) that he still is. He has done things where he is rightly called out but by and large he has done a very good job in every area of putting the University of Cincinnati name back on the tongues of recruits and media outlets. I have said many times over the past two seasons. If Mick leaves or is asked to leave at the end of the season (not happening), he would leave the program in great shape for the new coach along with a potentially very good recruiting class should the new coach be able to retain them.

Mick has one major flaw. He's not "the guy" like Bob Huggins. That doesn't mean he isn't a good coach or doesn't know basketball. We live in a shallow society. People want it to be part of the package. If Mick Cronin had Brian Kelly's personality, 5th/3rd would be busting at the seams this season. Even in the face of being 18-3 and in the top third of the league standings, people don't want to give him any credit for the job he's done.

Very few people, none nationally, thought this teams would be where it is. There wasn't any Kemba Walker's available, but there was a bunch of Dion Dixons. Guys that play hard and together. Guys that respond to coaching. If the season ended today Mick would have to be considered for league Coach of The Year.

I'm not a win no matter what the cost guy. I wanted Huggins gone a year befor he was. A coach should never be bigger than the name on the Jersey. Mick's a good coach that needs some P.R. skills. If he can maintain their success this season, and keep improving the talent level thru recruiting, a new generation of Bearcat fans will fill 5th/3rd. These fans will be there to watch the winning basketball team. They'll be there to watch the University of Cincinnati. I wish some fans from the 90's would also start cheering for this team instead of holding on to a former coach. BTW, if you'll look close enough and be honest you'll see this new guy can coach pretty good too. You'll notice he's done a helluva job cleaning up the garbage.

 

[BearcatAlum1]

One of the best posts EVER penned at BCT. This is exactly how I feel, and most of us(IMO) feel. The vitriol against Cronin by certain posters is difficult to understand. There is certain personal nature about it, and it has nothing to do with basketball. I have my opinion on this, and voiced it earlier last week, and will not derail this thread with this. Suffice to say, those who are rooting against Cronin are rooting aginst the long term inerests of the program.

A great post followed by another.

Win baby win. People will come back, but there will also be those that hate to see Mick succeed.

If Mick succeeds, so does UC. I'm happy either way.

I'm hoping for a nice finish to this season, to hopefully get the 2012 recruiting going...

 

[ralph1950]

Bob Huggins at UC 399–127 (.759)

Bob Huggins is the winning est coach in UC history. Mick has alot to live up to, to reach the level of success Bob brought to the program.

Mick Cronin at UC 77–70 (.523)

It is how you want to define winningest. He had the most wins at 399 but then Rick Minter had the most wins of any UC football coach, even though he had a losing record, because of longevity. Gale Catlett was the winningest UC coach ever by winning %. Ed Jucker won 2 National Championships which surpasses anything any other coach has done.

Mick's record at UC is 79-71. If Mick stays another 30 years as expected he will surpass 399.

 

[ralph1950]

Bob Huggins in 16 years: 2 elite 8 appearances, 1 final four

Mick Cronin in 4 years: nothing.

All that means is Mick has 12 more years to work at it.

 

[ralph1950]

Good point. Proving that his first four were impressive in a rebuilding process. what about micks?

Injuries played a key role in Bobs lack of success later on.

Huggins stated with 4 big time recruits left to him by Tony Yates; Keith Starks, Lou Banks, Lavertis Robinson, Andre Tate. The cupboard was not bare, Huggins was not facing the loss of 3 scholarships because Yates had not put UC basketball in APR jail, they did not have APR back then.

Huggins got the same at WVU, John Belein left a stacked house to Huggins, DeShawn Butler, Muzulla, Flowers, Thorughman, the guy that went to the NBA the year before that I cannot remember his name.

Mick was left 6 cell phones, zero players, and some frequent flyer miles to go recruit with.

 

[ralph1950]

Nick Aldridge. Careful though, Huggy recruited him before leaving. (Someone will come at you with that fact) But yeah, Cronin went after him at WCU of course too.

Mick did not exactly go after him. He called Mick and Mick said he could come as a walk on, no scholarship.

 

[ralph1950]

And so has the perception about UC being a powerhouse...

UC is a power house, 18-3, Cincinnati Champs 66-46, Mythical Miami Valley Champs 4-0 (Dayton, XU, Miami, Wright State), # 16 in the Sagarins, Top 25 in both polls at one time this season, and the City of Cincinnati is Cronin Crazy.

 

[ralph1950]

So taking a team, from the greatest conference ever assembled, to a single Elite Eight is more impressive than taking a team from the Great Midwest to a Final Four and an Elite Eight? (Not counting those other 12 years that mean nothing to you...) I could see how making the dance may be harder out of one conference, but how does that affect the tourney production once they get there? It seems you put so much stock in it. (Izzo >>>>>Huggs) Why not in this scenario? Double standard?

Many would say UC made it to the Final 4 out of dumb luck, the bracket fell apart in front of them, UTEP beat # 1 Kansas so UC did not have to play Kansas, Memphis beat 2 seeded Oklahoma St so UC avoided Okla State.

Huggins never beat a higher seeded team in the NCAA Tourney, he lost to 11 lower seeded teams, 11 teams he was supposed to beat.

 

[ralph1950]

Bob who?

 

[TheLongHaul]

Micks BE record is 28-47.

Bob dominated CUSA (which was not a bad league by any means) and is the sole reason UC is in the big east.

Dude, can you get off your man crush's jock for one second?

Goin got UC in the Big East, not Huggins. It's a bit ridiculous how little you actually know.

 

[TheLongHaul]

i'll see Lance and raise you Bud Mackey, Geron Johnson, Nick Aldridge, Darren Goodson, and Aaron Thomas off the top of my head

Bud Mackey? You're joking right? Mick recruited him just as every other coach did. It doesn't mean he offered him or would have accepted him. He'd be stupid to completely cut off communication to a kid.

Geron Johnson is still a recruit that is a wait and see recruit. Not sure what that has to do with it.

Aaron Thomas? Really?

 

[Thegreatone]

Huggins stated with 4 big time recruits left to him by Tony Yates; Keith Starks, Lou Banks, Lavertis Robinson, Andre Tate. The cupboard was not bare, Huggins was not facing the loss of 3 scholarships because Yates had not put UC basketball in APR jail, they did not have APR back then.

Huggins got the same at WVU, John Belein left a stacked house to Huggins, DeShawn Butler, Muzulla, Flowers, Thorughman, the guy that went to the NBA the year before that I cannot remember his name.

Mick was left 6 cell phones, zero players, and some frequent flyer miles to go recruit with.

This is something people should know. Mick was put into a tough position not only because of the lack of players but the fact he needed to graduate almost every single player that came to campus.

While I agree Huggins had some good players last year he did not have a Big East Championship caliber roster and did not have a Final Four type of roster. He did a good job coaching and completely owned Calipari in the Elite 8.

 

[Ryno99]

Ok here are my thoughts on each coach and then on the overall picture.

Huggins, did a fine job all but the last couple years he was here. I respect him for what he did with the program I love, but lost some of that respect the last couple years with some of the incidents he had. I was ready for him to go about a year or two before he was actually gone. Yes the letting go was handled badly. I blame the university and Bob some as well for the state the program was left in. Had he not done some of the things he did it wouldn't have happened, and we wouldn't have suffered through the past 6 years we have. But the university could have handled it much better as well and it wouldn't have gotten quite as bad as it did. I hold no grudge agaisnt Bob, but he's not UC's coach anymore so I respect him, but have no rooting interest in his team, to me he is any other coach that we play, the enemy and I want to beat him just as much as any other.

As for Mick, I don't blame him one bit for leaving for Louisville, as someone else said he did what he had to do to become a head coach, he learned from two of the best in the game. I believe that Huggins publicly supported the move as well, but I could be wrong there. I truly believe that Mick had an end game in mind that he would leave to get more experience, become a head coach at a smaller school and that he had the ultimate goal of doing all this to end up back at UC when Bob retired or moved on. Well it worked, and I'm happy as a pig in you know what it did. Mick wants to coach here, he has a passion for the school not many other coaches would because he is emotionally connected to it. This is his destination school, and if he can make it he will retire as UC's coach. I don't know that no one else could have done what Mick has done, but I do know that in my mind he has done a damn good job with what he was given. I'm proud to be a UC fan, and proud to support Mick as the head coach. Yes he has his flaws, we all do. His PR could definitely use some work, his coaching could still use some work. But the day you stop learning is the day you die. Mick will put his heart and soul into this team for as long as he is associated with it and that is what everyone should want. He will never give up or be lazy about it. He lives for UC basketball and has since he was a child growing up in Cincy. I look forward to a great future with Mick at the helm and look forward to him continuing to build this team back to and beyond what it was in the past under Huggs.

Ok as for the situation, I'm continually surprised how so many people think they have to choose sides either Bob or Mick. We are all UC fans, we should like them both. If you are a true UC fan, how can you not be thankful for what Mick has done with the situation he was handed? Who else would have taken that situation and dove into it head first and worked as hard as Mick has to get to where they are today? On the flip side how can we not appreciate what Bob did to build us to an annual powerhouse. The past is the past people, it's time for fans to move forward and deal with the reality of the situation, Mick is now our head coach, we want him to succeed as fans don't we? Not wanting him to succeed is the same as not wanting the team we love to succeed, which if you love it, that would never be the case. I for one am giddy over where this program is going and look forward to supporting the team including Mick for years to come as they move back to prominence and this time in the best league in the nation.

So let's let bygones be bygones and get on with today, I wish Huggs the best of luck, but I want Mick to beat his ass Saturday night.