PING: WVU Hoops Fans

[DeToxRox]

Talk is Beiline is going to potentially be named new Michigan coach as of Monday. Is that the talk there or is it just here? He's being interviewed during the Final Four but he is the guy Michigan wants so I want to know what we may be getting. He's a great x's and o's guys, but they question how he recruits. Your thoughts?

[WVUFAN]

Talk is Beiline is going to potentially be named new Michigan coach as of Monday. Is that the talk there or is it just here? He's being interviewed during the Final Four but he is the guy Michigan wants so I want to know what we may be getting. He's a great x's and o's guys, but they question how he recruits. Your thoughts?

Not nearly as much talk as when Rodriquez was on the cusp of leaving to Alabama. WV's much more of a football state than basketball.

Personally, I think he's a great coach, and I'm happy to see him get a job where his talents can really shine. Michigan's lucky to get him.

[DeToxRox]

Not nearly as much talk as when Rodriquez was on the cusp of leaving to Alabama. WV's much more of a football state than basketball.

Personally, I think he's a great coach, and I'm happy to see him get a job where his talents can really shine. Michigan's lucky to get him.

I hope his talents can shine here. Michigan hasn't had an X's and O's guy in ages and the incoming class is the best since the Fab Five for Michigan. The big question is if Bieline can keep these guys coming in and the two freshman from last year.

I hope this isn't getting ahead of myself because I am genuinely excited to see him coach here and a lot can happen so we will see.

[Lathum]

He's a great x's and o's guys, but they question how he recruits. Your thoughts?

I find that odd. I watch alot of big east basketball and he seems to always have a competitive team. He seems more like the kind of coach that would rather have solid 4 year players then the one and done superstar. It may not be glamourous but he gets enough talent to compete in the big east.

[DeToxRox]

I find that odd. I watch alot of big east basketball and he seems to always have a competitive team. He seems more like the kind of coach that would rather have solid 4 year players then the one and done superstar. It may not be glamourous but he gets enough talent to compete in the big east.

Yeah. Someone likened it to a Boise State in football. He gets the 1,2,3 star guys and coaches them up. I'd take that over recycling top 25 guys year and year out if you can only keep them a year.

[Neuqua]

I hope this does indeed happen, I am really liking the overall roster of coaches in the Big Ten in the forseeable future.

[WVUFAN]

WV seems to be a staging ground for good basketball coaches. Billy Donovan came from Marshall before he took the Florida job, and now Beilein seems to be moving to Michigan.

[timmynausea]

I'm hearing that Lon Kruger is #1 and Beilein is #2 right now for the U of M job and either way it'll be announced Monday. (Of course, right now CBS Sportsline is reporting that Michigan is after Stallings from Vanderbilt, but that seems off.) Kruger's ties to the midwest may be what is giving him the edge over Beilein, whom has always been on the East coast. It's all speculation right now. Beilein is in New York City for the NIT final tomorrow night, so I doubt any interview has taken place.

Beilein is a great coach, though. It's actually hard to guage his recruiting as he's only been a coach at a BCS school for 5 seasons, and when he took over at WVU the program was at rock bottom. His recruiting has gotten better and better as WVU has improved on the court and in terms of reputation the past 3 years or so. I actually disagree with the notion that he only finds diamonds in the rough - he is a great judge of talent and knows, whether a guy is 5 stars or 1, who is the best fit for his system. When he was looking to transfer out of St. Bonaventure, Beilein went after Mike Gansey like he was Lebron James because that's how highly he thought of his skills. We were in on several top 150 or so guys last year (and signed Da'Sean Butler who was a 4 star guy in some publications).

I actually think JB will leave WVU this year or next year, but I'm not sure if Michigan will be the place he winds up or not yet.

[HerRealName]

Doesn't Beilein have a 3 million dollar buy-out? It would surprise me if Michigan paid that large of buy-out.

[WVUFAN]

Doesn't Beilein have a 3 million dollar buy-out? It would surprise me if Michigan paid that large of buy-out.

That's RichRod. I don't think Beilein is that high.

[timmynausea]

Doesn't Beilein have a 3 million dollar buy-out? It would surprise me if Michigan paid that large of buy-out.

He has a huge buyout, which I believe lowers to $2.5 million this year. Plus, because of the way the contract is worded, Beilein will have to pay income taxes on the buyout money, which further complicates things. Basically Michigan would have to sink more money into Beilein than they do in Lloyd Carr, which has some doubting that this deal will go down.

[timmynausea]

That's RichRod. I don't think Beilein is that high.

Actually, while RR agreed to a bigger buyout back during the Alabama deal, he has yet to actually sign his new contract, which has some people concerned recently.

[HerRealName]

He has a huge buyout, which I believe lowers to $2.5 million this year. Plus, because of the way the contract is worded, Beilein will have to pay income taxes on the buyout money, which further complicates things. Basically Michigan would have to sink more money into Beilein than they do in Lloyd Carr, which has some doubting that this deal will go down.

I think I was remembering back to some coaching search last year when his buy-out stopped the deal. I'm guessing Stallings gets named as the coach at UM. Kruger is Larry Brown Jr., I don't think he'd be a good choice either.

[DeToxRox]

I'm hearing that Lon Kruger is #1 and Beilein is #2 right now for the U of M job and either way it'll be announced Monday. (Of course, right now CBS Sportsline is reporting that Michigan is after Stallings from Vanderbilt, but that seems off.) Kruger's ties to the midwest may be what is giving him the edge over Beilein, whom has always been on the East coast. It's all speculation right now. Beilein is in New York City for the NIT final tomorrow night, so I doubt any interview has taken place.

Beilein is a great coach, though. It's actually hard to guage his recruiting as he's only been a coach at a BCS school for 5 seasons, and when he took over at WVU the program was at rock bottom. His recruiting has gotten better and better as WVU has improved on the court and in terms of reputation the past 3 years or so. I actually disagree with the notion that he only finds diamonds in the rough - he is a great judge of talent and knows, whether a guy is 5 stars or 1, who is the best fit for his system. When he was looking to transfer out of St. Bonaventure, Beilein went after Mike Gansey like he was Lebron James because that's how highly he thought of his skills. We were in on several top 150 or so guys last year (and signed Da'Sean Butler who was a 4 star guy in some publications).

I actually think JB will leave WVU this year or next year, but I'm not sure if Michigan will be the place he winds up or not yet.
'
Kreuger pulled his name out saying his wife would file for devorce rather then go move again to the Midwest.

[timmynausea]

I think I was remembering back to some coaching search last year when his buy-out stopped the deal. I'm guessing Stallings gets named as the coach at UM. Kruger is Larry Brown Jr., I don't think he'd be a good choice either.

Yep. There are stories both ways about it, but the majority of WVU fans believe that Beilein to N.C. State was a done deal last year, with Beilein even agreeing to chip in some of his own money toward the $3 million buyout until they realized that the contract would require him to pay taxes on that money. He fired his agent that week as well.

[timmynausea]

'
Kreuger pulled his name out saying his wife would file for devorce rather then go move again to the Midwest.

Ah... I was going off what I read this morning. That'd make Beilein #1, assuming the money isn't an issue. I think he could do some serious damage at Michigan, as in Tom Izzo better watch his back.

[DeToxRox]

The Ann Arbor insiders say Bieline is everyones top choice and they weren't considering Kruger. As far as Carr goes, his salary is never known so Bieline may get money that tops him but it'll be undisclosed. Also they're in the beginning stages of looking at options for new facilities.

[DeToxRox]

Ah... I was going off what I read this morning. That'd make Beilein #1, assuming the money isn't an issue. I think he could do some serious damage at Michigan, as in Tom Izzo better watch his back.

As I said above, this is from the Michigan insider in AA but that means nothing because some of these guys are less then reputable. I wasn't sure which guy said it tonight so i can't say for sure so I am taking it for what it is.

[Swaggs]

I think he is a great coach and is, by all reports an even better person. He has a track record of sticking at places for about five years, rebuilding, and then moving on. I think he wants to leave, but I'm not sure that Michigan will be the destination for a few reasons.

One, as Timmy said, he has a $2.5M buyout that goes down to $2.0M in May. According to a Dominion Post (the newspaper in Morgantown, WV) the wording in the contract states that the money must come from him, rather than another school's AD or booster, so unless he has that kind of cash sitting around, he would have to get it plus income taxes on it from the school, which drives his price up. No one really knows the truth, but most assume the buyout + taxes kept him from ending up at NC State last season. I have heard that WVU would not accept the payment over a number of years.

Second, right now he already makes more than Ammaker was making at Michigan, so it seems like a stretch that they are going to really spend a significant amount more, plus the buyout. Michigan doesn't have the greatest track record with basketball coaches, as they let their last two really good coaches leave to what I would consider lesser programs (Johnny Orr leave to Iowa State and Bill Frieder leave to Arizona State).

Third, he is 54-years old and may not want to coach a whole lot longer, so another rebuild job may not be that attractive to him. He also has hung pretty close to the East Coast throughout his career, so I'm not sure how he would feel or do recruiting in areas like Detroit.

Anyway, I think he is unfortunately looking to leave. But, I'm not sure his combination of age with that buyout makes him a good candidate for Michigan this year, but if they can come up with the buyout, I think he'd go. I'd hate to see him go, but unlike this year, we have a lot of pretty solid returning players, so it would be much less of a disaster this year than it would have been last year.

[Abe Sargent]

I don't think he has a high loyalty to WVU since he wasn;t even our first choice in the coaching carusel. We sort of lucked into him.

[DeToxRox]

Here's an article regarding Beiline coming here potentially..

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070328/SPORTS08/703280390/1004/SPORTS

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Just as a FYI, Beilein was also considered for the Mizzou job last year when it became available.

With that said, it would be very interesting in the coaching carousel if Beilein were to leave. There's a coach at Kansas State University who just took the basketball job there. I believe Huggins is his name. :) The sole coaching job built into his contract that allows him to leave with no strings attached? West Virginia, which is his alma matter.

[WVUFAN]

I hope not. Didn't Huggins accept the WVU job, then quit a day later?

[Scarecrow]

Yeh, I'm SURE Huggie will leave K-State after assembling his 2007-2008 recruiting class. :rolleyes:

[timmynausea]

I hope not. Didn't Huggins accept the WVU job, then quit a day later?

Nope. That was Dan Dakich, the recently resigned Bowling Green coach. He was our second choice after Huggins flirted with WVU but ultimately chose to stay at Cincy. Beilein was actually our third choice.

[Atocep]

I'd be interested to see how Beilein would do at a program with high expectations. He's not a guy that will recruit players just because they're good, he looks for guys that will fit into his system and are coachable. In his 5 years at WVU he's had 1 top 100 recruit (De'Sean Butler, I believe).

He's probably one of the top 3 or 4 coaches in the country, but I could easily see a scenario where his team underachieves for a year or two and he's forced out because he doesn't recruit top players.

[Swaggs]

Yeh, I'm SURE Huggie will leave K-State after assembling his 2007-2008 recruiting class. :rolleyes:

I doubt he would either and, even though I wouldn't mind seeing him in gold and blue, I'm not sure he will be real serious consideration this time around. Even though he is one of our own and his dad still lives there, the folks in Morgantown are pretty split down the middle on Huggins, since he has some off the court problems and he ended up using us as leverage with Cincy last time around (when Beilein was hired).

That said, most, if not all, universities will release players from their signed LOI if the head coach leaves. They are not obligated to do so, but most understand that the backlash from high school/AAU coaches (who guide future recruits) and the negative impression are not worth the benefit of having disgruntled players. Usually a school will ask that the player gives the new coach a chance to "sell himself," but will let the player out if that is what they truly want.

WVU got three of its recruits in Beilein's first year from Richmond commits, where he had previously been coaching. And, when Sidney Lowe took over at NC State, I know that they allowed Dan Warner and Dennis Horner re-open their recruitment, even though they had already signed LOIs with Herb Sendek (before he left for ASU). Warner ended up signing with Florida, while Horner ended up sticking with the Wolfpack.

[molson]

Yeh, I'm SURE Huggie will leave K-State after assembling his 2007-2008 recruiting class. :rolleyes:

Every single coach who leaves a school has recruits on the way. Here in Idaho, Dennis Erickson announced he was leaving the University of Idaho while on a recruiting trip.

[timmynausea]

Any Michigan fans hearing anything new? Nothing is certain just yet, of course, but it's starting to sound more and more like Beilein is going to turn Michigan down (or perhaps already has.)

[DeToxRox]

Any Michigan fans hearing anything new? Nothing is certain just yet, of course, but it's starting to sound more and more like Beilein is going to turn Michigan down (or perhaps already has.)

Haven't heard much but I was starting to get that feeling. Hadn't been hearing much and generally something like a hire travels fast. With Lowry re-upping and Bieline probably (but I hope not) turning Michigan down, they better hope they can land Vandys coach.

[DeToxRox]

Can't confirm this but rumor is Calipari may've requested an interview with Michigan AD Bill Martin this weekend. Seems unlikely but stranger things have happened.

[DeToxRox]

And while on rumors, again these are more fun then anything else, but maybe Tommy can shead light to this. From a WVU ESPN Board...

My friend's dad has been working for WVU for over 20 years and knows alot of people in the athletic department. He hasn't failed me once and called the Rodriguez-Bama mess right on when he said the inside scoop was that RichRod was using Bama as leverage to get higher pay for his assistants and better facilities and never planned on leaving . Anyways, he says that relations between Beilein and the athletic dept have deteriorated to a point where they don't talk anymore. Any communcation between WVU and Beilein is done through his agent. Beilein is pissed because he saw WVU groveling at Rich Rod's feet during the Bama mess and feels like his work isn't being respected. Beilein has been PROACTIVELY searching for a new job for quite a while now including places like Indiana and NC St. The fact that WVU will not lift the buyout cost to his contract seems to be the final straw in destroying the coach's relations with the school. If anyone can or wants to afford the buyout, expect Beilein to make a hasty exit.

[Rich1033]

Many people will not be happy if they hire Stallings, hopefully Martin wont go there. Besides that, talk is the Air Force head coach is ahead of him anyway. Personally I hope that they go back and look at mid-major guys like Hobbs if they get turned down by Beilein.

There are rumors of some surt of mystery canidate whos name hasnt gotten out yet. I really doubt they are true, but they range from an NBA guy to some sort of "big name".

[DeToxRox]

Many people will not be happy if they hire Stallings, hopefully Martin wont go there. Besides that, talk is the Air Force head coach is ahead of him anyway. Personally I hope that they go back and look at mid-major guys like Hobbs if they get turned down by Beilein.

There are rumors of some surt of mystery canidate whos name hasnt gotten out yet. I really doubt they are true, but they range from an NBA guy to some sort of "big name".

Yeah I agree. I am not a Stallings guy but of the initial list that was rumored he seemed like the last one left. Who knows at this point but a coach will probably be announced in the next few days.

[timmynausea]

And while on rumors, again these are more fun then anything else, but maybe Tommy can shead light to this. From a WVU ESPN Board...

My friend's dad has been working for WVU for over 20 years and knows alot of people in the athletic department. He hasn't failed me once and called the Rodriguez-Bama mess right on when he said the inside scoop was that RichRod was using Bama as leverage to get higher pay for his assistants and better facilities and never planned on leaving . Anyways, he says that relations between Beilein and the athletic dept have deteriorated to a point where they don't talk anymore. Any communcation between WVU and Beilein is done through his agent. Beilein is pissed because he saw WVU groveling at Rich Rod's feet during the Bama mess and feels like his work isn't being respected. Beilein has been PROACTIVELY searching for a new job for quite a while now including places like Indiana and NC St. The fact that WVU will not lift the buyout cost to his contract seems to be the final straw in destroying the coach's relations with the school. If anyone can or wants to afford the buyout, expect Beilein to make a hasty exit.

I have heard similar things as well. It definitely seems like Beilein doesn't get along with some people in the athletic department, and the way he handled the N.C. State situation last year made things much worse to the point where it did seem like that relationship could never be repaired. That's why I said a few days ago that I fully expect Beilein to leave WVU soon.

However, it seems like going 27-9 this year with a very young team may have healed things some. On top of that, Beilein has a son that is going to be a senior in high school and doesn't want to move, and what I'm hearing recently is that "family pressure" is playing a role in this decision.

I still wouldn't be surprised to seem him go, but one of his main quibbles with the AD here is not getting a practice facility built, and I saw recently that Michigan's AD has said that they won't be building a practice facility any time soon. If one of his main irks at WVU is that football is the favorite son, Michigan may not be the best choice.

[RPI-Fan]

Every single coach who leaves a school has recruits on the way. Here in Idaho, Dennis Erickson announced he was leaving the University of Idaho while on a recruiting trip.

The point was that K-State, a basketball-nobody, has assemebled the #1 recruiting class in the nation for '07-'08.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Beilein has been offered the Michigan HC position. Will be interesting to see if he takes it.

[Swaggs]

According to the WVU folks, there will be a counteroffer that will almost certainly be presented today and we will probably have an answer, one way or the other, by tomorrow afternoon.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

According to the WVU folks, there will be a counteroffer that will almost certainly be presented today and we will probably have an answer, one way or the other, by tomorrow afternoon.

The dominoes are going to fall in a hurry now. Report is that Huggins will be the primary target if Beilein leaves WVU and they're prepared to throw the bank at him.

Also, there are rumors circulating in KSU and B12 circles that the recruits in the 2007 class will be released from their letter of intent if Huggins takes the WVU job.

[DeToxRox]

From todays Detroit News


Michigan could land the men's basketball coach it coveted, West Virginia's John Beilein, in the next two days, possibly as early as today.

U-M athletic director Bill Martin has targeted Beilein all along, and according to two sources, Beilein, 54, appears very interested in the job.

Martin was in Atlanta for the Final Four to interview candidates, but U-M has primarily pursued Beilein.

West Virginia just won the NIT championship and finished with a 27-9 record. In Beilein's five seasons there, the Mountaineers are 104-60 and have gone to the NCAA Tournament twice, reaching the Elite Eight in 2005.

Martin, with the help of an advisory committee, has been seeking a new coach since he fired Tommy Amaker on March 17.

Beilein is considered an excellent tactician. U-M has hoped that would compensate for his lack of coaching ties to the Midwest.

[Swaggs]

The dominoes are going to fall in a hurry now. Report is that Huggins will be the primary target if Beilein leaves WVU and they're prepared to throw the bank at him.

Also, there are rumors circulating in KSU and B12 circles that the recruits in the 2007 class will be released from their letter of intent if Huggins takes the WVU job.

I wouldn't bet money on Huggins being the replacement.

As I said earlier, he is an alum and his father still lives in Morgantown, but most WVU folks either love him or hate him, and apparently the AD and president fall in the latter category.

I would love to have him, because he is a good, established coach and I think he would retire at WVU, so we could quit dealing with the Beilein drama every offseason.

Others think he is "dirty," and point to his poor graduation rates and his DUI arrest a few years ago, which are all legitimate causes of concern.

[Swaggs]

It looks like Beilein to Michigan will be announced anytime now.

Hate to see him go, as he is a good man and a great coach, but I'll also be glad to not have to deal with him shopping himself around every offseason.

It will be interesting to see how (or even if) he recruits Detroit, as he seems to prefer more polished recruits with good fundamentals over the athletic, streetball-types. Many people think his offense is to just chuck up three-pointers and hope you win, but I think he can win with far fewer threes and more slashers and his defense will be much, much better with more athletic players that are easier to draw to Ann Arbor than Morgantown, WV. I think his biggest challenge will be conveying that to the players/parents/coaches.

Anyway, he is a real class act and a very good Xs-and-Os guy, so I think Michigan will enjoy him. At 55-years old, this could be his last stop, so maybe he'll let some grass grow under his feet for once in his life.

[DeToxRox]

It looks like Beilein to Michigan will be announced anytime now.

Hate to see him go, as he is a good man and a great coach, but I'll also be glad to not have to deal with him shopping himself around every offseason.

It will be interesting to see how (or even if) he recruits Detroit, as he seems to prefer more polished recruits with good fundamentals over the athletic, streetball-types. Many people think his offense is to just chuck up three-pointers and hope you win, but I think he can win with far fewer threes and more slashers and his defense will be much, much better with more athletic players that are easier to draw to Ann Arbor than Morgantown, WV. I think his biggest challenge will be conveying that to the players/parents/coaches.

Anyway, he is a real class act and a very good Xs-and-Os guy, so I think Michigan will enjoy him. At 55-years old, this could be his last stop, so maybe he'll let some grass grow under his feet for once in his life.

Hope so.

Rumor is all the recruits coming in will stay contrary to the reports out there. Alex Leigon said at a Chicago Camp he'd stay if Beiline was the coach because the offense is a perfect fit for him.

As far as recruiting Detroit, the AAU coaches aren't fans of the Beiline hire but consider Tommy didn't do much to endear them it's not like this is the worst news ever.

[DeToxRox]

Dola: a 10 am presser is allegedly scheduled for tomorrow.

[Swaggs]

Hope so.

Rumor is all the recruits coming in will stay contrary to the reports out there. Alex Leigon said at a Chicago Camp he'd stay if Beiline was the coach because the offense is a perfect fit for him.

As far as recruiting Detroit, the AAU coaches aren't fans of the Beiline hire but consider Tommy didn't do much to endear them it's not like this is the worst news ever.

Getting those three guys to stick would be a blessing for him. I think they will have the chance to demonstrate that his offense can work with different types of players and give him a chance to open future recruits' eyes with them.


Dola: a 10 am presser is allegedly scheduled for tomorrow.

From what I am hearing, he has stopped talking to WVU officials, so my guess is that he has gotten the buyout taken care of and gotten a contract he is happy with from Michigan.

[DeToxRox]

Indeed.

Also Swaggs .. any idea about this guy Terelle Pryor? Hes a 2008 recruit. This is from a Michigan board..

5 star recruit from the class of 2008 that is interested in Michigan might be closer to comitting to michigan because he was also interested in west virginia when beilein was coaching there. bring beilein to a better program and you might have terrele pryor coming with him

[henry296]

Indeed.

Also Swaggs .. any idea about this guy Terelle Pryor? Hes a 2008 recruit. This is from a Michigan board..

5 star recruit from the class of 2008 that is interested in Michigan might be closer to comitting to michigan because he was also interested in west virginia when beilein was coaching there. bring beilein to a better program and you might have terrele pryor coming with him

Pryor is a two sport superstar from Western PA; he is also a QB. He could be a top recruit in either sport. Not sure if he is leaning towards football or basketball.

[Swaggs]

Indeed.

Also Swaggs .. any idea about this guy Terelle Pryor? Hes a 2008 recruit. This is from a Michigan board..

5 star recruit from the class of 2008 that is interested in Michigan might be closer to comitting to michigan because he was also interested in west virginia when beilein was coaching there. bring beilein to a better program and you might have terrele pryor coming with him

I know quite a bit about him.

He is an excellent basketball player, but most folks think he will end up playing football (or try to play both). I don't think he ever really considered West Virginia for basketball, but may like our football team based on proximity to his home and (probably more importantly) he is a Pat White/Vince Young-type of quarterback. He is going to be one of the top football recruits in the country.

He is supposedly looking to play both in college, but if he seriously wants to play quarterback (he is also considered a great WR prospect), I don't see how he would play basketball, too.

Right now, I think he will end up playing quarterback at Ohio State, with Penn State and Pittsburgh as other possibilities. Michigan certainly has the football weight to get after him and put in a good run to get him, too, but I would be surprised if he went to Michigan to play basketball because of Beilein.

[Dr. Sak]

Pryor goes to school at the district right next to me and I got to ref one of his scrimmages last year. He is an amazing athlete in both sports, but I think he has more upside in football rather than in basketball. I think he is so good in basketball because he is just so much bigger than the rest of the kids.

He has stated that he wants to stay close to home to play and from what I hear it'll be a tOSU/PSU race till the end. He doesn't plan on deciding until close to signing day.

[Rich1033]

Pryor is a star in both sports, but may be the top player in the contry for football. He wants to play both, but thats his future. Unless he decides to play something other than QB(unlikely) hes not coming to Michigan. Like Bsak says, it will most likely come down to those schools closer to home.

As far as Amaker's incoming recruits, I dont think anyone knows what will happen. Harris and Grady are the most likely to stay, but Grady's dad doesnt seem to like beilein much. I have heard that Alex Legion is by far the most likely to leave and could already be gone. Hopefully things work out.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I wouldn't bet money on Huggins being the replacement.

As I said earlier, he is an alum and his father still lives in Morgantown, but most WVU folks either love him or hate him, and apparently the AD and president fall in the latter category.

I would love to have him, because he is a good, established coach and I think he would retire at WVU, so we could quit dealing with the Beilein drama every offseason.

Others think he is "dirty," and point to his poor graduation rates and his DUI arrest a few years ago, which are all legitimate causes of concern.

KSU fans are in panic mode this morning. This was the worst-case scenario for them as Beasley has already stated if Huggins isn't at KSU, he's not going there.

We'll see how it all pans out.

[timmynausea]

In the end WVU matched U of M's deal. So it really wasn't about money, and his family reportedly didn't want to leave. It makes you wonder how deep that personal stuff with the AD must go. In fact, once you factor in the cost of living, the same amount of money buys you a lot less in Ann Arbor than it does in Morgantown. This guy really wanted out of West Virginia.

Anyway, I think he has a good chance to do well at Michigan, but I'm not too sad to see him go. After 3 straight offseasons of worrying about him leaving, along with the RR to Alabama mess, it has gotten old.

I've got my fingers crossed that Huggins wants to come home.

[Wolfpack]

In fact, once you factor in the cost of living, the same amount of money buys you a lot less in Ann Arbor than it does in Morgantown.

Actually, he's coming at a perfect time. The housing market around here has cratered and he probably has his pick of where he wants to live as everyone else around here is desperately trying to sell and move out. Should be able to find an ex-Pfizer exec's digs without a problem.

[Abe Sargent]

Actually, he's coming at a perfect time. The housing market around here has cratered and he probably has his pick of where he wants to live as everyone else around here is desperately trying to sell and move out. Should be able to find an ex-Pfizer exec's digs without a problem.

It's true that Ann Arbor is not as bad as is was. However, as someone who has lived in both markets, Morgantown is still way cheaper than even new Ann Arbor.

[Passacaglia]

Threadjack...any idea how long housing prices will fall in the Detroit area? Every once in a while, lurker and I kick around the idea of moving there in a year or two.

[Logan]

Threadjack...any idea how long housing prices will fall in the Detroit area? Every once in a while, lurker and I kick around the idea of moving there in a year or two.

Pretty confident you could ask again in a couple years and they'll still be on the downswing.

[Chubby]

On a side not, my mom bought her current house from Belein when he went from LeMoyne to Canisius (which is where I went to college).

She will not be buying his former house in WVA (tho she got a really good deal on the syracuse house beacuse he had already moved to Buffalo)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

FYI.......KC radio is reporting that WVU's #1 target is definitely Huggins. KSU AD in response to the suggestion that Huggins may go to WVU responded, "That's not the Coach Huggins I know". He also said that he had not given any permission to WVU yet to talk to Coach Huggins.

[timmynausea]

Actually, he's coming at a perfect time. The housing market around here has cratered and he probably has his pick of where he wants to live as everyone else around here is desperately trying to sell and move out. Should be able to find an ex-Pfizer exec's digs without a problem.

That is actually a fair point. I live in Michigan, and we got a great deal on our house last summer.

Still, my point was just that Beilein's move wasn't about money.

[Logan]

FYI.......KC radio is reporting that WVU's #1 target is definitely Huggins. KSU AD in response to the suggestion that Huggins may go to WVU responded, "That's not the Coach Huggins I know". He also said that he had not given any permission to WVU yet to talk to Coach Huggins.

Mizz...earlier in the thread you said Huggins has it built into his contract that he could leave for only WVU with no strings attached. Do you have a source for this that you can point me to? Or expand on it if not? Not doubting you at all...just curious and would like to know more about it.

[timmynausea]

Beilein to U of M is finally completely official.

Rivals lists the top 6 possible replacements as:

Bob Huggins, Kansas State
Jeff Bzedlik, Air Force
Jeff Neubauer, Eastern Kentucky (former Beilein assitant)
Travis Ford, UMass
Jerry Dunn, WVU assistant (former Penn State head coach)
John Pelphrey, South Alabama

Unfortunately, I think Huggins is the only one of that bunch that wouldn't be looking to use WVU as a stepping stone. I guess the possible exception is Dunn, but I think we're in bad shape if we go that route.

[st.cronin]

I wouldn't want Huggins coaching my team.

[DeToxRox]

Beilein to U of M is finally completely official.

Rivals lists the top 6 possible replacements as:

Bob Huggins, Kansas State
Jeff Bzedlik, Air Force
Jeff Neubauer, Eastern Kentucky (former Beilein assitant)
Travis Ford, UMass
Jerry Dunn, WVU assistant (former Penn State head coach)
John Pelphrey, South Alabama

Unfortunately, I think Huggins is the only one of that bunch that wouldn't be looking to use WVU as a stepping stone. I guess the possible exception is Dunn, but I think we're in bad shape if we go that route.

Bzedlik has been an intriguing guy and I think of the guys listed would be a good choice. Still, cannot go wrong with Huggins. Sounds like WVU may be the job he covets and he'd have no reason to go. If he can recruit to Manhattan and Cinncy, Morganstown won't be a problem either.

What are your thoughts Timmy on if Huggy lands back in WVU?

[timmynausea]

What are your thoughts Timmy on if Huggy lands back in WVU?

Well, behind the scenes he accepted the job in principle back in 2001 or so, but ended up backing out once the contract was on the table and there are various reports as to what actually happened. It seems that at that point his family didn't want to leave Cincinnati and that played a role along with some fighting with the AD and President over some of the details of the contract.

This time around, I really think it'll just come down to whether or not he still wants the job. WVU will be able to offer him more than he makes at Kansas State (especially with that buyout money on the way), but there are some things floating around that Huggy feels a sense of loyalty to the KSU AD and doesn't want to bail on him after just one year.

I don't really have a good feel for it, to be honest. There are some people close to the situation that are convinced that it is already a done deal, and others that have said they'd be shocked if Huggins winds up at WVU.

[Swaggs]

I think if it is Huggins, it will happen quickly. He has enough relationships with the administration and WVU has enough resources, that a contract will not be a problem. It will solely be whether or not he feels bad leaving KSU after only one year.

He has said WVU is his dream job and this is only the second time it has been open since 1979, so this could be his last shot at it. Plus, he may like the opportunity to play Cincy every year.

I hope he gets the call and accepts, but I'm still not certain that the AD and current president (he is leaving office after this school year) will make him the top choice.

[miami_fan]

Jeff Bzedlik reportedly is Colorado's first choice.

[Swaggs]

The word is that Huggins is the early frontrunner for WVU. He has not been in direct contact with the AD yet, but met with a group of power players earlier in the day and there is reportedly "mutual interest."

Could be interesting. If Billy Walker is injured badly enough that he needs a medical redshirt, I suspect he will follow Huggins to Morgantown (I believe he was born in WV) and sit out a year and then suit up for WVU.

[Dr. Sak]

Beilein to U of M is finally completely official.

Rivals lists the top 6 possible replacements as:

Bob Huggins, Kansas State
Jeff Bzedlik, Air Force
Jeff Neubauer, Eastern Kentucky (former Beilein assitant)
Travis Ford, UMass
Jerry Dunn, WVU assistant (former Penn State head coach)
John Pelphrey, South Alabama

Unfortunately, I think Huggins is the only one of that bunch that wouldn't be looking to use WVU as a stepping stone. I guess the possible exception is Dunn, but I think we're in bad shape if we go that route.

You DON'T want Jerry Dunn. The guy is a good assistant, but a bad head coach.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Mizz...earlier in the thread you said Huggins has it built into his contract that he could leave for only WVU with no strings attached. Do you have a source for this that you can point me to? Or expand on it if not? Not doubting you at all...just curious and would like to know more about it.

There was a long discussion about his contract when he was first hired on last year because the KSU AD initially took Huggins on board without a contract and just said they'd work out the details later. Then, as they were 'working out the details', rumors began swirling that Beilein may take the Mizzou job, which would have then caused some severe issues as Huggins wasn't officially contracted with KSU and could then jump to WVU. Eventually, Mizzou hired Coach Anderson and so Huggins worked out a contract. It was mentioned numerous times here in KC that he had a release clause in the contract for only WVU. I'm sure there will still have to be some form of negotiation, but if he wants to go to WVU, it won't take long to get it done.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

The word is that Huggins is the early frontrunner for WVU. He has not been in direct contact with the AD yet, but met with a group of power players earlier in the day and there is reportedly "mutual interest."

Could be interesting. If Billy Walker is injured badly enough that he needs a medical redshirt, I suspect he will follow Huggins to Morgantown (I believe he was born in WV) and sit out a year and then suit up for WVU.

FYI......Walker was nearly ready for postseason play. He'll be fully healthy and ready to go in November.

[the_meanstrosity]

It was noted in today's KC Star that Huggins' contract buyout is $100,000. So if he does take another head coaching job then it's pretty cheap for him to opt out.

There was a long discussion about his contract when he was first hired on last year because the KSU AD initially took Huggins on board without a contract and just said they'd work out the details later. Then, as they were 'working out the details', rumors began swirling that Beilein may take the Mizzou job, which would have then caused some severe issues as Huggins wasn't officially contracted with KSU and could then jump to WVU. Eventually, Mizzou hired Coach Anderson and so Huggins worked out a contract. It was mentioned numerous times here in KC that he had a release clause in the contract for only WVU. I'm sure there will still have to be some form of negotiation, but if he wants to go to WVU, it won't take long to get it done.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

It was noted in today's KC Star that Huggins' contract buyout is $100,000. So if he does take another head coaching job then it's pretty cheap for him to opt out.

Here's the text of that article. One thing I did notice is how little he's actually making. My guess is that WVU would offer him a substantial pay increase.

Huggins rumors abound
K-State coach’s name pops up as a possible candidate to replace Beilein at West Virginia.

By HOWARD RICHMAN
The Kansas City Star

Who would have thought when Michigan fired men’s basketball coach Tommy Amaker on St. Patrick’s Day that the dominoes might trickle all the way to Manhattan, Kan.?

The key now is whether Bob Huggins wants to go home — if he’s invited.

Huggins, who has coached one season at Kansas State, is being mentioned as a possibility to replace John Beilein at Huggins’ alma mater, West Virginia. The Huggins-to-West Virginia talk was fueled Tuesday afternoon when Beilein left the school to replace Amaker at Michigan.

“People here like the idea of him (Huggins) coming back home,” Doug Moore, assistant manager at Kegler’s Sports Bar & Lounge in Morgantown, W. Va., said by phone Tuesday.

Rivals.com Web site WVsports.com listed Huggins as high on the Mountaineers’ wish list. ESPN’s Andy Katz mentioned Huggins, Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser and Eastern Kentucky coach Jeff Neubauer as possibilities.

Huggins, who attended the Cincinnati Reds’ season opener Monday, still was out of town Tuesday and did not return a call left on his cell phone. His attorney, Cincinnati-based Richard Katz, said by phone that he had not been contacted by West Virginia officials or representatives of the school about Huggins. He added he would have no further comment on the subject.

Huggins’ contract, if he decides to leave, mandates a payment of $100,000 to the school at the time of termination. Huggins’ contract calls for him to make at least $800,000 per year the first three years, $900,000 the fourth year and $1 million the fifth year.

K-State senior associate athletic director Jim Epps, though, said it does not shock him that Huggins may be considered at West Virginia.

“It would surprise me if a bunch of different schools didn’t have him on their radar,” Epps said.

Epps, though, senses that Huggins is happy at K-State, where he signed a five-year contract a year ago and has one of the top recruiting classes in the country, headed by McDonald’s All-American Michael Beasley.

“He’s remarked over and over how taken he is with the people here, that this place has really embraced him,” Epps said.

Huggins was born in Morgantown, played for the Mountaineers, lettering for two seasons starting in 1975, and graduated magna cum laude. He served as the Mountaineers’ graduate assistant coach in 1977-78.

In March 2002, Huggins turned down the West Virginia job, deciding to stay at Cincinnati.

Just a year ago, shortly after Huggins was announced as K-State’s coach, his name surfaced when Beilein was being courted by North Carolina State. At the time, Wildcats athletic director Tim Weiser said he and Huggins had a good laugh about the rumors.

“He said, ‘How could I say the things I’ve been saying about Kansas State, to the kids, and go someplace else?’ ” Weiser said at the time.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

By the way, for those that mention the recruiting class as a reason to stay, I offer up this article which is a pretty candid interview with Michael Beasley. After reading this, you'll probably wonder if he'll even manage to avoid getting suspended before he hits the court. He's a one-and-done basket case who will likely fade into basketball obscurity pretty quickly. If I was Huggins after seeing this article, I'd run to WVU and leave Beasley at KSU. I'd be shocked if those 140 pairs of b-ball shoes, while not a violation on their own, weren't the tip of a big ol' iceberg......


For Beasley, It's a Jumping Point
Gaithersburg Native 'Just Killing Time' as He Prepares for Eventual Leap to NBA

By Eli Saslow
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, March 12, 2007; Page E01

FITCHBURG, Mass. -- Michael Beasley waits for his NBA fortune in a drafty room on the third floor of a crumbling house. He sleeps on a battered mattress with no sheets. The smell of sewage wafts from a communal bathroom down the hall. Cold air leaks through cracks in the walls and windows, so Beasley warms his room by keeping an open toaster oven turned to 450 degrees at the foot of his bed.

How one of the country's best high school basketball players ended up spending his senior season here at Notre Dame Prep, in a small city 50 miles west of Boston, confounds even Beasley. His high school career -- a six-school, five-state odyssey -- stopped making sense long ago, he said. "I just go from one place to the next," said Beasley, who is from Gaithersburg. "I hardly even think about it."

Since he entered the eighth grade, Beasley's career has followed the same cyclical pattern: He's dismissed from one school for misbehavior and immaturity; then he's wooed to another school for the smooth left-handed jumper and forceful first step that make him a projected lottery pick in a future NBA draft.

At Notre Dame Prep, Beasley treats high school less like a destination than an obstacle he must bypass in order to reach the NBA. He counts down the days until he leaves for his freshman year at Kansas State, until he turns 19 next January and finally becomes eligible for the NBA draft.

"I'm just killing time here," said Beasley, who averages 28 points and 16 rebounds from the forward position. "Sometimes it seems like high school lasts forever."

Beasley had never seen Notre Dame Prep before he arrived at the school in early September. Based simply on the school's name and basketball reputation, he expected a stately campus with rolling green hills and striking dormitories. When he arrived at the actual campus, he briefly considered turning around and going back to the airport.

Notre Dame Prep opened in 1952, and its three-story school building has steadily deteriorated since. The front door is broken, so students come and go through a screechy side entrance. The nationally ranked boys' and girls' basketball teams play on a court with chipped blue paint and rounded backboards. Two nights each week, the court doubles as a venue for the town bingo game. Notre Dame Prep stopped resurfacing its basketball court almost a decade ago because elderly bingo players complained about the potential for slipping on a waxed floor.

As part of the financial aid package that pays most of his $17,000 tuition, Beasley helps set up and remove the bingo tables two nights each week. He has only two other responsibilities at Notre Dame: to help the basketball team retain its status as the best prep program in the country; and to attain the grades and SAT score necessary for college eligibility.

Practice becomes a centerpiece of the Notre Dame schedule, because half of the school's 60 students are basketball players recruited from out of state. Ten foreign exchange students from South Korea and a handful of locals make up the rest of the student population. Beasley practices for two hours in the afternoon, takes a nap and then practices again at night. "The basketball team is pretty much the only thing this school's got," Beasley said.

Beasley remains confident that he will gain NCAA eligibility despite his nontraditional high school education. He needs to score at least a 920 on the SAT later this year, he said. His grades at Notre Dame are mostly Bs and Cs. His favorite class is English -- taught by Bill Barton, the basketball coach.

During the summer, as part of its probe into prep schools with questionable academic practices, the NCAA sent an investigator to Notre Dame Prep and about 20 other nontraditional private schools, said NCAA Vice President Kevin Lennon. The investigator showed up unannounced, Barton said, and spent a full day observing classes at the school.

"With Notre Dame Prep, we were sufficiently satisfied that it was a high school where learning was going on," Lennon said. "We saw teachers. We saw a curriculum. We saw the things you'd want to see at a high school."

For Beasley, It's a Jumping Point

At various points in his career, Beasley planned to spend his senior season at five schools in four other states. He split the 2002-03 season between National Christian Academy in Fort Washington and Laurinburg (N.C.) Institute. He played a season at IMG Academies in Florida; then, the next year, an amateur basketball coach in Upper Marlboro home-schooled Beasley while he played basketball for Riverdale Baptist.

Last season, Beasley thought he'd found a perfect fit at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va. He improved his academic transcript with solid grades, coaches said, and he averaged 21 points and 12 rebounds for a nationally ranked basketball team. Then, in August, coaches at Oak Hill gave Beasley the same bad news he'd heard a few times before: The school had decided not to invite him back.

Michael Beasley is from Gaithersburg, but he has logged some miles before his college career even starts:


Year School Site
2002-03 National Christian Fort Washington
2003 Laurinburg Institute Laurinburg, N.C.
2003-04 IMG Academies Bradenton, Fla.
2004-05 Home school* Upper Marlboro
2005-06 Oak Hill Academy Mouth of Wilson, Va.
2006-07 Notre Dame Prep Fitchburg, Mass.

Beasley said nobody gave him an exact reason for his dismissal, but he guesses that Oak Hill grew tired of his pranks. He wore pajamas to the school cafeteria. He threw sticks at teachers' houses. He snuck out of his dorm after curfew and organized games of hide-and-go seek.

"Me and Tywon Lawson had a competition at the beginning of the school year about who could sign their autograph the most around the school," Beasley said, referring to a teammate who now stars at North Carolina. "And I don't lose at anything, man, so I walked around with one of those Sharpies and signed graffiti everywhere. Every day, they were cleaning my name off water fountains, ceilings, desks, offices -- whatever. I just thought it was funny."

Oak Hill Coach Steve Smith blamed Beasley's poor behavior on simple immaturity. "He's really a good-hearted kid," Smith said. So, with two weeks left in the school year, Smith offered his star player one final chance: He told Beasley that, to be invited back to Oak Hill, he needed to impress administrators with flawless end-of-year behavior.

Two days later, Beasley signed his name in black ink on the principal's truck, Smith said.

"He'll definitely try your patience," Smith said. "You look at him physically and he's a full-grown man, and you think he's going to make good decisions all the time. But a lot of times, he just didn't."

At a practice here in Fitchburg last month, Barton gathered his players to give them a scouting report on an upcoming opponent. In less than 24 hours, the team played one of its most important games of the season. Barton stood still, with a basketball under his right arm, and talked quietly. "Pay attention, 'cause this is important," Barton said. His players leaned in to listen. Then Beasley started shouting.

"Hey coach, pass the ball!" Beasley yelled. "Come on, coach. You're being a ball hog, yo. Pass it. I'm open."

Teammates laughed, and Barton shook his head. Over the last six months, Barton had decided mainly to ignore Beasley's childishness. He finished his scouting report and divided his players into two teams for a shirts-against-skins scrimmage. As Beasley pulled off his cotton T-shirt to play for the skins, he danced across the court.

"I'm naked! I'm naked!" Beasley yelled. "Look, coach. I'm naked!"

Beasley said he's made sincere attempts at maturation since he arrived at Notre Dame. With his NBA future looming, he's tried to think of basketball as business. He learned to shake hands with opposing coaches this season, he said, instead of slapping careless high-fives. He shaves and cuts his hair every few days to look clean. When Beasley bought five new tattoos last month to celebrate his 18th birthday, he made sure none of the tattoos -- four names on his wrists and "FAMILY FIRST" across his collarbone -- would show when he wore a suit.

"People are starting to treat me like a professional because of how I play," Beasley said. "So now I'm trying to act like one."

In his Fitchburg bedroom, Beasley keeps 140 shoe boxes from Nike, Reebok and Adidas. He requested a full room in Fitchburg to store shoes, but Notre Dame Prep said it couldn't find the extra space. Each sneaker company sends Beasley a few pairs each week, he said, because they recognize his potential as a future endorser.

At 6 feet 9 inches, Beasley dribbles well enough to run the fast break. He prefers to play underneath the basket, but his soft left-handed jump shot remains reliable even from three-point range. He anchors the defense for Notre Dame, a team that has lost only two games this season.

Beasley believes he could play even better under improved conditions. Notre Dame travels by car to tournaments almost every weekend across the East Coast. Beasley has stopped lifting weights because he's worried about catching a cold in the school gym, a poorly heated third-floor classroom.

In his spare time at Notre Dame, Beasley tries to pretend he's somewhere else. He puts a sign on the door of his room that reads, in red block letters, STUDIO, DON'T DISTURB. Then he attaches a microphone to his computer and raps, recording his own songs. His room looks over Fitchburg's modest downtown, and Beasley likes to stay awake until 4 a.m. and stare at the city lights.

"It's comforting," Beasley said. "I can kind of pretend I'm just hanging around D.C., looking out at home."

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Sounds like more good news for WVU. Huggins was reportedly supposed to have dinner with the KSU president and AD. He cancelled the dinner and decided to go home to take more time to discuss the situation with his family.

Most of Huggy's family lives in Morgantown and is pressuring him really hard to come back to WV. Also, he has multiple lifelong friends who live out in that area that came out for some KSU games last year but are telling him that they don't want to keep coming out to Manhattan for games. I can't say I blame them. If you've ever been to the Little Apple, you'd know why.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

More info from Sportsline......

http://cbs.sportsline.com/print/collegebasketball/story/10108684

Huggins mulls leaving K-State for West Virginia


An impromptu rally on campus designed to raise support to help Kansas State keep Bob Huggins was canceled Wednesday night amid speculation the West Virginia graduate could be close to returning to his alma mater after one season with the Wildcats.

A source close to the situation told CBS SportsLine.com over the weekend that if John Beilein left for Michigan, then Huggins would be West Virginia's top target. Now, according to another source, Huggins is seriously considering the opportunity, but he's struggling with whether to pursue his desire of returning to the Big East at the expense of walking away from a Kansas State roster full of elite-level talents who would've never considered attending KSU if not for Huggins luring them to a remote part of the country far away from their homes.

Most notably, that list includes Bill Walker and Michael Beasley. Both could've gone anywhere in the nation, but each picked Kansas State -- hardly a traditional basketball power, at least in recent years -- based solely on Huggins or hires Huggins made upon accepting the KSU job a little more than a year ago.

Attempts Wednesday to reach Huggins were unsuccessful.

Huggins led Kansas State to the NIT this past season. The Wildcats finished 23-12 overall. Prior to KSU, Huggins compiled a 399-127 record in 16 seasons at Cincinnati before resigning under pressure in August 2005. The forced resignation came a year after a highly publicized DUI arrest.

[timmynausea]

Nothing official yet, but the word going around the message boards and KC radio is that Huggins has agreed in principle to take the WVU job, and they are working out the contract details now. Apparently Jerry West played a big role in the process. We'll see if any of this sticks, but I've got a pretty good feeling for the moment.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Nothing official yet, but the word going around the message boards and KC radio is that Huggins has agreed in principle to take the WVU job, and they are working out the contract details now. Apparently Jerry West played a big role in the process. We'll see if any of this sticks, but I've got a pretty good feeling for the moment.

FYI.....you can get streaming audio of the KC sports radio at http://www.810whb.com. They are the flagship station for KSU. It's tough to get on right now because the demand is really high because of the Huggins situation, but it will connect eventually.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

WVU booster's private plane en route to Manhattan with a return flight to Morgantown listed......

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N36579

Here's the info on the plane owner.........

"This plane is owned by a WVU booster:

Plane owned by Paragon Intellectual Properties LLC of Charleston, WV. Paragon is owned primarily by Dr. Mark C. Bates, professor of surgery and medicine, RC Byrd Medical Center and CAMC division of WVU. Paragon has patents on several meds and devices used in endovascular procedures."

[Swaggs]

WVU booster's private plane en route to Manhattan with a return flight to Morgantown listed......

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N36579

Here's the info on the plane owner.........

"This plane is owned by a WVU booster:

Plane owned by Paragon Intellectual Properties LLC of Charleston, WV. Paragon is owned primarily by Dr. Mark C. Bates, professor of surgery and medicine, RC Byrd Medical Center and CAMC division of WVU. Paragon has patents on several meds and devices used in endovascular procedures."

This may have been mentioned before, but WVU is also interviewing the provost (sp?) from Kansas State today or tomorrow, so I wouldn't get too hung up on the airplane information.

I think it will all come down to whether or not Huggins feels bad about leaving his team and the administration at KSU hanging after being there only one year.

My guess is that he has too many friends with WVU ties and that this is likely his last opportunity to take over the WVU program and make a lasting impression (hopefully not sanctions ;) ), so he will take the job. Some folks are saying he will be announced on Good Friday and I think it is leaning that way, but I am sure leaving KSU is tugging at his conscience.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

This may have been mentioned before, but WVU is also interviewing the provost (sp?) from Kansas State today or tomorrow, so I wouldn't get too hung up on the airplane information.

It's definitely not the KSU provost. He will be out there until later this afternoon, so there's no way that flight was intended for him.

[Swaggs]

I hate this for the Kansas State fans, since we have had to go through it the last three basketball offseasons and last football season.

It sounds like it is looking real good that Huggins and Beasley will be at WVU.

[Passacaglia]

I bet some moron booster is flying out there, thinking he's going to go convince Huggy to take the job.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I bet some moron booster is flying out there, thinking he's going to go convince Huggy to take the job.

The donor that owns the plane is actually a college buddy of Huggins. He actually flew that plane to Manhattan several times this year full of his college buddies to watch the KSU games. So it's not just any old donor.

Just noticed that they revised the flight plan. It was supposed to go to Knoxville, TN, but it now is scheduled to leave for Morgantown at 1:30 PM. Interesting.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Insider report on ESPN saying that Huggins will make his final decision tomorrow.

[timmynausea]

It's sounding better and better. Here's an article from the Wheeling Intelligencer that says the press conference is tomorrow:

Huggins to Replace Beilein

By DON CLEGG Executive Sports Editor

Kansas State head coach Bob Huggins has accepted an offer to replace John Beilein as head men’s basketball coach at West Virginia University.

A source close to the WVU athletic department told The Intelligencer and the Wheeling News-Register Thursday that it was “a done deal,” adding that a press conference will be held Friday afternoon to formally introduce Huggins as the Mountaineers’ 21st head basketball coach.

Financial terms were not revealed.

Huggins has five years remaining on his contract at Kansas State where he is being paid $800,000 annually. His salary goes up to $900,000 in 2009-10 and reaches $1 million in 2010-11.

He is also scheduled to receive a $1 million annuity if he serves out the five-year contract. There is a $100,000 buyout if he leaves before completing the contract.

The 53-year-old Huggins — who stands just 10 wins shy of 600 career coaching victories - emerged as the prime candidate to replace Beilein early this week when it became apparent that Beilein was headed to Michigan.

While Kansas State athletic director Tim Weiser and West Virginia athletic director Ed Pastilong have refused comment throughout the process, multiple reports surfaced on Tuesday that Huggins had met with WVU representatives on a trip to Cincinnati.

Two internet sites — Foxsports.com and cbssportsline.com — reported Wednesday that Huggins had been told the job was his if he wanted it.

Huggins drove back to Manhattan, Kan. Wednesday and met with Weiser and Kansas State president John Wefald. None of the three could be reached for comment on Thursday.

A group of worried Kansas State fans tried to put together a support rally for Huggins at the Wildcats’ Bramlage Coliseum Wednesday night but Huggins reportedly asked them to cancel it and did not attend.

Hugggins is turning his back on a very promising situation at Kansas State.

He led the Wildcats to a 23-12 record and an NIT berth in his only season at the school this winter and has signed what is thought by many to be the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation.

It’s unclear whether some — or any — of his recruits would follow him to Morgantown.

A Morgantown native and former WVU standout, Huggins has long considered West Virginia his “dream job.”

He was the first choice to replace Gale Catlett at the Mountaineer helm in 2002 but negotiations broke down at the 11th hour and he wound up staying at Cincinnati.

The search committee hired Dan Dakich but he returned to Bowling Green less than a week after coming to Morgantown, opening the door for Beilein’s arrival from Richmond.

Huggins, 53, was a two-time Academic All-American during his playing days at West Virginia (1975-77). He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from WVU.

Although he’s established himself as one of the premier college basketball coaches in the nation over the past quarter-century, Huggins is no stranger to controversy.

Critics targeted his program at Cincinnati for low graduation rates and a series of player arrests and NCAA rules violations that ultimately led to probation and a reduction in scholarships.

Huggins has also had some well-documented health issues.

He suffered a massive heart attack on the recruiting trail Sept. 28, 2002 and a DUI arrest in June, 2004 ultimately led to his dismissal from Cincinnati following the 2004-05 season.

Huggins sat out the 2005-06 campaign but returned to the sidelines this year after being hired by Kansas State on March 23, 2006.

[Swaggs]

Beilein is apparently being a jerk about his buyout with WVU. I guess he is not as classy as a lot of us thought.

Andy Katz Article (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=2833203)

Among the more interesting items:

To John Beilein's credit, he said, 'The buyout is my responsibility.'"

Tuesday, Beilein reiterated that "Michigan is not paying it. It's between me and [West Virginia]."

At that point, Beilein stopped. When asked how he is going to resolve the issue, if he's going to try and reduce the figure or if he is filing any kind of lawsuit, Beilein said that he couldn't say anything and that there are "a lot of legal issues, and my attorneys are handling this."

WVU athletic director Ed Pastilong said Tuesday that the buyout was initiated by Beilein's side.

"That was what made him comfortable," Pastilong said. "It was his desire … and we were going to go along with it. Everyone has a unique approach and that's just what he wanted and we were accommodating him."

The contract was tweaked in both 2003 and '04, but it wasn't until 2005 -- after West Virginia went to the Elite Eight -- that the contract was amended in the termination and buyout section. In Section V.D., article B, it states that Beilein would receive or pay $500,000 per year, for the remainder of the deal, if he was terminated without cause or left. Beilein's signature is on the bottom of the contract.

The deal ran through 2012, so the five years remaining bring the buyout to the $2.5 million figure.

Dennis Coleman represents a number of high-profile coaches in Division I and negotiated the contract for Beilein, but no longer represents him. Coleman declined to go on the record for the story but other sources familiar with the negotiations said that Beilein wanted the security of knowing he couldn't be terminated without a substantial payment.

At least two other Coleman clients have benefited from similar buyout provisions. Tom Herrion received around $800,000 from a similar "dollar for dollar" deal after he was fired by the College of Charleston last year without cause. Former Virginia coach Pete Gillen received $2 million from Virginia when he was fired.

A number of coaches told ESPN.com they don't understand why Beilein could even question the buyout.

So, it sounds like Beilein liked the buyout as a protection for himself, so that if WVU wanted to fire him, he would be secure. But when he wanted to move on the past two seasons, he didn't like it anymore and fired his agent over it last season, even though his agent has protected at least two coaches (including UVA's Pete Gillen who got a $2M buyout when he was fired) who were fired.

And now, even though he signed the contract he is privately trying to get out of it or get it reduced. Word is that he also wants everything done very privately, likely to keep his "classy" reputation unscathed, but that will be difficult because West Virginia is a public university and its records are kept open to the public.

Disappointing ending to an otherwise very good period of time in WVU's basketball history.

[Atocep]

Beilein is apparently being a jerk about his buyout with WVU. I guess he is not as classy as a lot of us thought.


For me, red flags went up with the way he handled his search or a new job last offseason and again before this season even ended and he was already contacting Michigan about their opening. He seemed to have a pretty big ego about his accompishments at WVU and thought he had outgrown the school.

I never really thought of him as a classy guy, quiet in the way he handles himself, but not classy.