Ahead of Bob Huggins' induction into the University of Cincinnati's athletic department this upcoming week, his family provided an update regarding the health of the former college basketball coach.
The family announced that Huggins has been living with a "progressive cognitive condition" for several months, and that it has started to impact his memory and aspects of his daily life.
"Bob is living with a progressive cognitive condition that has begun to affect his memory, and aspects of his daily life. 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 many
people who have supported Bob throughout his remarkable career, particularly as he prepared to be honored with induction into the University of Cincinnati's James P. Kelly Athletics Hall of Fame," the statement read.
Huggins coached the Bearcats from 1989 to 2005, during which time he helped put the program on the national map. He holds the program record for all-time career coaching wins at 399, helped lead the Bearcats to the 1992 Final Four and led eight conference tournament titles during the program's runs in the Great Midwest Conference and Conference USA.
In 2022, Huggins was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He made coaching stops at Walsh College, the University of Akron, Kansas State and West Virginia, whom he led to the Final Four in 2010.
Huggins resigned from West Virginia in July 2023 after he was arrested on charges of drunk driving. He led the Mountaineers to a 345-203 overall record in his tenure in Morgantown across the program's membership in the Big East and Big 12.
He posted a career record of 863-389 over his 38 seasons at the Division I level, and led his teams to 26 NCAA Tournament appearances.
"Throughout his extraordinary basketball journey, Bob's greatest impact has extended far beyond wins, championships, and the basketball court. From his early coaching years at Walsh University to his time at Akron, Cincinnati, Kansas State, and West Virginia, his defining passion has always been the young men he coached, the relationships he built, and the lives he helped shape," the statement reads. "Generations of former players have benefited not only from his leadership as a coach, but also from his mentorship, loyalty, and lifelong friendship."
University of Cincinnati statement on Bob Huggins
In a statement of its own, Cincinnati extended its "heartfelt support" to Huggins and his family during this time as he deals with his health battle.
"Coach Huggins is 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," Cincinnati wrote. "We extend our heartfelt support to Coach Huggins and his family as they navigate this next chapter together."
Bob Huggins statement
Here's a full look at the statement from Huggins' family:
An update from the family of Bob Huggins pic.twitter.com/FCsSvIlCy3
— Cincinnati Bearcats (@GoBEARCATS) October 21, 2026
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bob Huggins' family discloses health battle for college basketball legend
