Cincy's Huggins offered West Virginia job

CINCINNATI - Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins has been offered the vacant West Virginia job and is deciding whether to remain with the Bearcats or return to his alma mater. <br> <br> Huggins&#39; lawyer, Bret Adams, confirmed an offer was made but would not discuss details. <br> <br> ``It&#39;s a personal decision for Bob to make,&#39;&#39; Adams said Thursday from his Columbus, Ohio, office. ``I think it&#39;s probably the toughest professional decision of his career.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Tom Hathaway, Cincinnati&#39;s sports information director, also said Thursday that Huggins told athletic director Bob Goin of West Virginia&#39;s offer. <br> <br> Huggins just completed his 13th season with the Bearcats, who were knocked out of the NCAA tournament on Sunday by UCLA. Under Huggins, the Bearcats are 332-100 and have played in the postseason every year - 11 NCAA tournaments and two NITs. <br> <br> His team reached the Final Four in 1992, the field of eight in 1993 and 1996, and the field of 16 last year. <br> <br> Huggins was born in Morgantown, W.Va., played for the Mountaineers and began his coaching career at WVU in 1977. He did not return phone calls Thursday. <br> <br> Hathaway and several West Virginia officials said Thursday that no timetable has been set for Huggins to make a decision. Goin would not comment on the offer, but has said he wants Huggins to stay. <br> <br> West Virginia athletic director Ed Pastilong has been looking for a coach since Gale Catlett announced his retirement in February. Pastilong would not comment on the coaching search. <br> <br> While Huggins is WVU&#39;s first choice, Florida assistant John Pelphrey could be the backup. However, Pelphrey is a top candidate to take over at South Alabama. <br> <br> Two years ago, Huggins turned down a guaranteed $8 million contract to become coach of the Los Angeles Clippers.

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