"It could happen to anyone when you get hired by

[NT80]

Huggins Agrees to Quit As Cincinnati Coach

By JOE KAY, AP Sports Writer

CINCINNATI - Bob Huggins agreed Wednesday to step down as Cincinnati's basketball coach, ousted by a school president determined to change the program's image.

One day after Huggins was given a choice of resigning or being fired, he agreed to take a $3 million buyout of his contract. The school's offer includes a chance to stay for three more months, giving advice on basketball recruits and related matters.

"We are working on the details of the agreement, which may or may not be finalized in the next 24 hours," said Richard Katz, the coach's attorney.

Huggins left Katz's office without comment, dressed in his black Cincinnati jacket, when no final deal was reached on Wednesday.

The university sent Katz a letter earlier in the day outlining the $3 million buyout. The letter, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, offered Huggins $110,000 per month for the next three months to stay on and ease the coaching transition.

"His duties will include providing information about the current team, identifying and commenting upon potential recruits, and documenting his institutional memory of the basketball program during his 16-year coaching tenure," the letter said.

An interim coach has not been chosen. The school doesn't anticipate hiring a permanent replacement until after the 2005-06 season, its first in the Big East. The school will have a difficult time attracting recruits in the meantime.

The volcanic coach who won more games than anyone else in Cincinnati history was forced out by an academically minded school president who doesn't like Huggins' history or philosophy.

President Nancy Zimpher sent Huggins an ultimatum on Tuesday, giving him 24 hours to either take the buyout, stay in a capacity other than basketball coach or get fired from the job.

"It could happen to anyone when you get hired by a different president," Louisville coach Rick Pitino said Wednesday. "There's a difference in philosophies. It happens. It's a change in CEOs. They have their own people, their own philosophies, and it's different than what Bob stands for."

Zimpher, hired in 2003, wants the program to recruit players with better grades and an aversion to trouble. She also wants her coaches to be better role models.

Huggins' arrest and conviction for drunken driving last year dismayed Zimpher, a strong-willed administrator who wound up in a power struggle with the strong-willed coach. She refused to extend his contract last May, setting the stage for his exit.

He may have been king of the hilltop campus, but it was Zimpher's hill. During a news conference on Tuesday evening, Zimpher insisted that the basketball program had to live up to her standards.

"We expect to recruit very strong students, both on the court and in the classroom," Zimpher said. "We expect our coaches to be role models, and we expect our students to be role models. I will not apologize for setting high standards."

During Huggins' 16-year stay at Cincinnati, the Bearcats made the Final Four and were ranked No. 1 nationally for the first time in 34 years. They also developed a history of player arrests and violations that resulted in an NCAA probation in 1998 and a hoodlum image nationally. In the 1990s, the Bearcats had one of the lowest graduation rates in the nation.

After last season ended, a player was kicked off the team for having a gun on campus. An assistant coach was charged with drunken driving, but was acquitted at trial.

Pitino, who sent Huggins an encouraging message after his heart attack in 2003, was saddened by the ouster.

"Bob Huggins, a lot of times, is misunderstood," Pitino said. "He's someone who cares a great deal about his players. He wants to see them do well and he really goes the extra yard for players."

Huggins' ouster less than two months before the start of the season shocked fans and the small number of students who were on campus Wednesday. Fall quarter classes begin on Sept. 21.

The timing irked some students.

"If Zimpher was going to get rid of him, she should have done it after the DUI and not waited until now when it's so close to the start of the season," said junior Alan Gerken.

Cincinnati fans have readily forgiven players for suspensions and arrests because the program has been so successful.

"We knew what kind of player he recruited, but who cared?" Gerken said.

Several students stood in front of the administration building on Wednesday, holding signs supporting Huggins.

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

Huggins Agrees to Quit As Cincinnati Coach

By JOE KAY, AP Sports Writer

CINCINNATI - Bob Huggins agreed Wednesday to step down as Cincinnati's basketball coach, ousted by a school president determined to change the program's image.

Zimpher, hired in 2003, wants the program to recruit players with better grades and an aversion to trouble. She also wants her coaches to be better role models.

"We expect to recruit very strong students, both on the court and in the classroom," Zimpher said. "We expect our coaches to be role models, and we expect our students to be role models. I will not apologize for setting high standards."

[Cincinnatti] developed a history of player arrests and violations that resulted in an  NCAA probation in 1998 and a hoodlum image nationally. In the 1990s, the Bearcats had one of the lowest graduation rates in the nation.

After last season ended, a player was kicked off the team for having a gun on campus. An assistant coach was charged with drunken driving, but was acquitted at trial.

Cincinnati fans have readily forgiven players for suspensions and arrests because the program has been so successful.

"We knew what kind of player he recruited, but who cared?" Gerken said.

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The last sentence says a lot about that "university" today. It was not that way when they were a MVC member. Oscar Robertson was from there.