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Big 12 Basketball: Ranking the 10 head coaches for 2019-20 season

By Joey Loose

LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 23: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders drives to the basket against Quentin Grimes #5 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half of the game on February 23, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Kansas 91-62. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 23: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders drives to the basket against Quentin Grimes #5 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half of the game on February 23, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Kansas 91-62. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MARCH 23: Head coach Bob Huggins of the West Virginia Mountaineers reacts during the first half against the Villanova Wildcats in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 23: Head coach Bob Huggins of the West Virginia Mountaineers reacts during the first half against the Villanova Wildcats in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

3. Bob Huggins (West Virginia)

While the move happened several years ago, it’s a bit confusing that West Virginia currently sits in the Big 12. What isn’t confusing is that Huggins has done a phenomenal job leading this program in both the Big East and their new home. He’s responsible for a big portion of the Mountaineers’ postseason success, though there remains one more mountain to climb.

Huggins is a West Virginia native who played for the Mountaineers in the 70’s and began his coaching career there. He spent time as head coach at Walsh and Akron before a long tenure with Cincinnati, including a Final Four with the Bearcats. Discord in Cincinnati led to his departure and a one year stay at Kansas State. He made fourteen straight NCAA Tournaments with the Bearcats, and his success was more than enough for West Virginia to hire him in 2007.

In just his third year with West Virginia, he led the Mountaineers to just their second Final Four. They’ve made nine NCAA Tournaments in his twelve seasons, including four more trips to the Sweet Sixteen. This past season fell apart due to injuries and suspensions, but prior to that West Virginia had finished second in the Big 12 for three straight seasons. Huggins inherited a program in good shape and made them even better, elevating his alma mater into a Big 12 contender.

The roster is properly restocked, but it’s premature to expect a lot from this team moving forward. Huggins’ coaching career has featured solid teams on a regular basis and it would be a surprise to see this team be a great disappointment for a second straight year. Either way, if his young players develop, this could be a Big 12 contender again in the near future.

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