CINCINNATI – Bob Huggins, who has built University of
Cincinnati basketball into the school's featured athletic program
and taken the team to the NCAA Tournament for 10 consecutive years,
wants a contract extension.
He asked athletics director Bob Goin on
Wednesday if they could discuss extending Huggins' coaching
contract. They are to talk after the spring recruiting period ends.
Huggins, 47, who is mentioned annually as a possible candidate
for NBA coaching jobs, said he wants to stay at Cincinnati. He said he is weary of the annual
rumors that he might leave, and said they hurt his efforts to
recruit players.
"I've been here for 12 years, and every year people have been
killing us (in recruiting) saying I'm not going to be here the next
year," Huggins told The Cincinnati Enquirer on Wednesday.
Huggins noted that he signed a 10-year contract with the
university in 1995.
"I am optimistic that we will be able to work out the details that
will have him coach the UC basketball team for years to come," Goin said. "It is my intention that Bob Huggins remain as Cincinnati's
basketball coach."
Last year, Huggins turned down an opportunity to coach the NBA's
Los Angeles Clippers. On Sunday, a column in the Akron Beacon
Journal mentioned Huggins as a candidate to coach the Cleveland
Cavaliers should coach Randy Wittman not return.
"No one's talked to me," Huggins said. "It's crazy. And all
that does is let other people say, 'He's not going to be there,'
which is ridiculous."
Goin said Huggins' request to discuss a contract extension came
during a conversation Wednesday. Huggins didn't specifically call a
meeting to discuss the subject.
Huggins' contract runs through June 30, 2005, with a base salary
of $150,000. After next season, he can collect an annuity expected
to be worth more than $1 million.
He receives an additional $215,000 from radio, television,
public relations and speaking activities. This season, Huggins
earned a bonus for the Conference USA regular-season title
($10,000), for defeating three Top 25 teams ($30,000) and for
advancing to the NCAA Tournament's field of 16 teams ($55,000).
That $460,000 package does not include money from summer camps
or from his deal with Nike, the athletic shoe maker.
In 12 seasons at Cincinnati, Huggins' teams are 301-96.
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 Cincinnati head coach Bob Huggins is looking for a contract extension to help in recruiting.
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