Gotta give him credit

[Muskie1000]

I, like most of you, am not a huggy bear fan, however, after last night, I have found some new respect for him. Seeing him with Butler and the emotions on his face and the care he had for one of his players was just impressive to me.

[sash19]

I agree 100%. That is why his players would run through a wall for him. They know he is going to be there for them. Dont like the guy overall but what he did last night didnt suprise me. He got some major props from me for it....

[Porkopolis]

I was very impressed. That moment will be replayed for years.

[DC Muskie]

I hate to be a jerk, but I really don't see what the big deal was. He went and talked to his player who was hurt. Should we build a statue for the guy?

I really felt bad for Butler. What a tough player.

[sash19]

I hate to be a jerk, but I really don't see what the big deal was. He went and talked to his player who was hurt. Should we build a statue for the guy?

I really felt bad for Butler. What a tough player.

DC:

For me it was the way he did it I guess. All coaches come out to be with the player but with the way Butler was flopping around on the court in obvious shock and pain, the way Huggins got down on top of him close to talk and calm him was just out of the norm in todays world. I still dont like the guy but I just felt that the obviously outward showing of compassion and caring for his player was a breath of fresh air....Statue worthy-no but still very non-macho in a macho world.

[kyxu]

I actually thought he was going to kiss him.

[Masterofreality]

I hate to be a jerk, but I really don't see what the big deal was. He went and talked to his player who was hurt. Should we build a statue for the guy?

I really felt bad for Butler. What a tough player.

Agree on both counts- especially on Butler. The kid was an actual student. Of course he was recruited by Beilein. Let's see how many of The Chuggster's own recruits actually get an education.

Those who are "abused" love their "abusers" too, in a twisted sort of way per psychologists. Maybe the players were hugging BeelzeBob because they were relieved they were finally done with him?

Sorry, but one touching moment doesn't erase years of facts of NCAA probation, academic fraud, crime, bar fights with fans, DUI's and recruiting bad people who did bad things. Oh, and there's that rumor of infidelity. Nancy Zimpher knew the real story....and revisionist history shouldn't be allowed to paper it over.

[rhyno2110]

I actually thought he was going to kiss him.

Haha, I thought the same thing. And then when he put his hand on Butler's face, that was slightly akward. I still respect the incredible amount of passion for his players though.

[XU-PA]

Video

In case you missed it, not great quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqo4Sy2OmYk

[Titanxman04]

My heart goes out to Butler. Stan was tweeting about it last night and he was just shocked and it comes to show you, as he says, that everyone is just ONE PLAY away from having it all end.

I was pleased with the outcome of the game, but I NEVER wanted to see a player go down like that. I felt Duke had it pretty wrapped up and weren't going to let WVU back in it, and Butler's injury was just a whole bunch of salt in their wound.

As for Huggins? I don't like the guy. I have very little, if any at all, respect for him. he's not a good human being, as he cheated on his wife, drinks and drives, and doesn't really care about his student-athletes performances in the classroom. However, as a coach, I respected him being there for his player. He saw that Butler was clearly upset and in pain. It was an emotional moment for his stud athlete and he knew he had a role to fill to help him through it.

He may be an awful person with questionable methods as a coach. He at least cares for his players.

[SixFig]

Interestingly, that three minutes on the ground with Butler will help his recruiting immensely. He has a rep for being a hardass (well deserved), but now he can play the tape and show every recruits parents he loves them.

[DC Muskie]

DC:

For me it was the way he did it I guess. All coaches come out to be with the player but with the way Butler was flopping around on the court in obvious shock and pain, the way Huggins got down on top of him close to talk and calm him was just out of the norm in todays world. I still dont like the guy but I just felt that the obviously outward showing of compassion and caring for his player was a breath of fresh air....Statue worthy-no but still very non-macho in a macho world.

When has there really been a situation like this? It was the Final Four, they were getting killed and Butler thought he'd let his team down.

I would hope a coach is passionate about his players. I'm not sure why the entire sports world is gushing about Huggins passion for his players. Was there a time when he wasn't passionate about his players?

Seriously if this is a lasting moment of the tournament that is a sad commentary about sports today.

[RealDeal]

I guess he cares about his players now, at UC guys who gave their all for him like Steve Logan wound up with no degree after 4 years. Bobbie didn't care enough to make him go to class.

[LA Muskie]

I hate to say it too, but my opinion of Hugs TOTALLY changed last night. You could tell that Hugs was hurting almost as much Butler, and that it had nothing to do with the game itself.

I guess this proves, on this Easter morning, that these coaches and players are all human, and that what we paint with our broad strokes is often far from the truth.

[Masterofreality]

I guess this proves, on this Easter morning, that these coaches and players are all human, and that what we paint with our broad strokes is often far from the truth.

Happy Easter to all.

Sorry, LA. Maybe The Coiffed One was serious, probably was, about "being there for his player", but like Six Fig said, that "photo op" A) Will help his recruiting" B) Elicits pap fron Clark Kellogg, who being from St. Joes High School in Cleveland, should know better than to comment on how "misunderstood" the guy is. Facts are facts.

Again, 3 minutes of sympathy doesn't erase decades of NCAA probation, lack of caring about his players' education, infidelity, DUI, academic fraud, deceit, rule skirting, and enabling bad people. If those are broad strokes, they were self-painted.

God may forgive, but man should not forget.

[sash19]

When has there really been a situation like this? It was the Final Four, they were getting killed and Butler thought he'd let his team down.

I would hope a coach is passionate about his players. I'm not sure why the entire sports world is gushing about Huggins passion for his players. Was there a time when he wasn't passionate about his players?

Seriously if this is a lasting moment of the tournament that is a sad commentary about sports today.

Its not a lasting moment of the tournament for me nor statue worthy but it was a nice "moment" where the business of college athletics was made to look more "human." Do I like the guy anymore b/c of it-hell no. Just was a time that these were kids again and not pro's in waiting....

[LA Muskie]

Sorry, LA. Maybe The Coiffed One was serious, probably was, about "being there for his player", but like Six Fig said, that "photo op" A) Will help his recruiting" B) Elicits pap fron Clark Kellogg, who being from St. Joes High School in Cleveland, should know better than to comment on how "misunderstood" the guy is. Facts are facts.
So, are you seriously saying that in the heat of the moment, Hugs was thinking about the Photo Op? Wow...if that isn't an indictment not just of Hugs but the entire human race, I don't know what is...


Again, 3 minutes of sympathy doesn't erase decades of NCAA probation, lack of caring about his players' education, infidelity, DUI, academic fraud, deceit, rule skirting, and enabling bad people. If those are broad strokes, they were self-painted.
Can't disagree there. Look, I'm not saying that all of a sudden I think the guy's a saint. But this was the first "positive" thing I've ever witnessed from him, so I think he at least deserves some credit for that.

[joebba]

I was certainly thinking I was seeing a side to Bob Huggins I have never seen before. I still am not a big fan of him for the cheating, drinking and driving etc, but he showed some true compassion to his players. I respect that, and would not have believed it from the mouths of former players had I not seen it last night.

Does he deserve to be put on a pedestal? No. Does he deserve credit for it? Sure.

[xsteve1]

Hated Huggins at UC, but since WVU is not our rival I like him now. He's always cared about his players.

[DoubleD86]

Happy Easter to all.

Sorry, LA. Maybe The Coiffed One was serious, probably was, about "being there for his player", but like Six Fig said, that "photo op" A) Will help his recruiting" B) Elicits pap fron Clark Kellogg, who being from St. Joes High School in Cleveland, should know better than to comment on how "misunderstood" the guy is. Facts are facts.

Again, 3 minutes of sympathy doesn't erase decades of NCAA probation, lack of caring about his players' education, infidelity, DUI, academic fraud, deceit, rule skirting, and enabling bad people. If those are broad strokes, they were self-painted.

God may forgive, but man should not forget.

I mean no disrespect, but your post is obviously tainted towards extreme dislike for the guy. All those thing you point out, no one is saying anything else. No one said he is a stand up guy. All people said is that it was a great gesture (it was) that most coaches wouldn't do (they wouldn't) and that it just showed why almost every player that has ever played for him loves him and thinks so highly of him.

I understand you don't like the guy, I don't either, but what he did last night was CLEARLY a very good gesture and deserves credit.

Again, I nor anyone else here is saying that it erases all the points you have made sure to bring up. No one here is saying he is an amazing human being. We are just giving credit where credit is due.

[CinciX12]

I'm sure Huggins bought him a drink after the game too to dwell in misery.

There, had to insult Huggins after this love fest of a thread. You all should be ashamed of yourselves. I bet he was kneeling over him threatening his life for not being able to continue playing.

[xudash]

I watched the whole thing.

I watched him afterwards when the game was about over and he was hugging his players coming out of the game for the last time.

I watched him and Coach K embrace - call it what you want - at games end.

In short, specifically with respect to him consoling Butler, I thought it was an absolute, sincere class move.

You have to look at this from the other side of sinister (i.e. hey, I'll receive some good recruiting graces by doing this). The man got down on the floor to console his star player who was in agony. He got down there and held him like he was his son. He did that in front of thousands of people and millions more viewing from their television sets.

In my mind, it was him and his player with all else blocked out.

Am I a huge fan of Bob Huggins? Hardly. Can people change? Yep. Has he changed for the better? I couldn't possibly answer that; I'm not around him nor do I know him to be in any kind of position to opine on that. Nonetheless, I believe I witnessed a sincere and compassionate action on his part last night.

[Masterofreality]

I'm sure that Hitler had a touching moment with Hermann Goering too- and I'm sure that it was sincere.

(Again, please do not take this as any disresepct to Da'Shawn Butler)

[LA Muskie]

There's nothing like a Hitler analogy to demonstrate that one has lost all sense of reason.

[CinciX12]

There's nothing like a Hitler analogy to demonstrate that one has lost all sense of reason.

I'd rather have Hitler as a roommate than ever give Bob Huggins credit for something.

[Masterofreality]

There's nothing like a Hitler analogy to demonstrate that one has lost all sense of reason.

.....Just in time for the offseason when, even if lost, it could be found. :p

[chico]

I hate to say it too, but my opinion of Hugs TOTALLY changed last night. You could tell that Hugs was hurting almost as much Butler, and that it had nothing to do with the game itself.

I guess this proves, on this Easter morning, that these coaches and players are all human, and that what we paint with our broad strokes is often far from the truth.

Maybe some of us have personal experiences with the man that would say otherwise. And it's not the "he snubbed me when asking for an autograph" type of thing.

Yeah, it was nice to see that he showed compassion for an injured player of his. But one act of compassion for a player does not erase the trail of crap this man has left in his wake for the past 25 years. And I don't think the numerous specific examples of this man's behavior is painting him with broad strokes.

[Lloyd Braun]

This is an outrage. I understand the emotion in this when a player pours his heart out all season, and you see a coach return that emotion with a stroke of the cheek (http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Video-Huggins-consoles-Butler-in-front-of-milli?urn=ncaab,231951) and hug on the court in front of millions.

That said, this is not an upstanding citizen of our country. I love to hate this guy because it's easy, aside from last night's show. Proof... Google "Bob Huggins" and let the autofill start, and you will see the following most common searches: "Bob Huggins graduation rate; Bob Huggins DUI Video; Bob Huggins Quotes; Bob Huggins Death Threat; Bob Huggins black eye (http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/did-someone-beat-the-hell-out-of-bob-huggins-24342)"...... to name a few.

Lets not get carried away here. This is still the same guy we have known for years who just happens to emote when a guy who he didn't recruit continues to make him millions.

[Titanxman04]

There's nothing like a Hitler analogy to demonstrate that one has lost all sense of reason.

Looking for signs that people have "lost all sense of reason"????

Seriously? Look at who posts on this board! Clearly, we're all deranged! But damn, it's fun to be deranged! :D:D:D

With that said, Bob Huggins sucks. That is all.
http://cdn.faniq.com/images/blog/143722cde037348a825597263979183a.jpg
^^^Winner!