Bob Huggins Has 'Progressive Cognitive Condition,' Family Says Ahead of Cincinnati HOF Induction

The family of college basketball coaching legend Bob Huggins announced Wednesday he's "living with a progressive cognitive condition that has begun to affect his memory, and aspects of his daily life."

The Huggins family released a statement through the University of Cincinnati (via Nick Kosko of On3) outlining his situation:

"While the family has chosen to keep this matter private over the past several months, they believe this is an appropriate time to share the news with the many people who have supported Bob throughout his remarkable career, particularly as he prepares to be honored with induction into the University of Cincinnati's James P. Kelly Athletics Hall of Fame."

Cincinnati called Huggins "undoubtedly one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history."

"He restored Cincinnati basketball to national prominence, ignited a passion for the Bearcats throughout our city and left an indelible mark on generations of student-athletes," the school said.

Huggins, 73, began his coaching career as an assistant at West Virginia in 1977. He got his first Division I head coaching job at Akron in 1984 and spent five seasons there before taking the Cincinnati job.

During his 16 years with the Bearcats, Huggins had a .757 winning percentage and made the NCAA tournament on 14 occasions. They advanced to the 1992 Final Four and the Elite Eight in 1993 and 1996.

After coaching Kansas State in 2006-07, Huggins returned to his alma mater. Building on what predecessor John Beilein established, he made the Mountaineers a tourney mainstay. In 2010, they reached the national semifinals for the first time in more than 50 years.

Huggins retired from coaching following the 2022-23 season. His 863 wins rank 10th in men's Division I history.

The West Virginia native was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.