But it seems after taking a year off and last season turning a reeling Kansas State program in to a national contender Huggins is back in business, and coming home seems to be the best thing for WVU and Huggins.  “This is my dream,” said Huggins at his press conference Friday afternoon at the WVU Coliseum. 

However, Huggins’ dream wasn’t for John Beilein as he scooted off to Michigan.  Despite a $2.5 million buyout clause Beilein exclaimed “I want to be the coach at Michigan,” after five successful seasons at WVU where he amassed a 104-60 record and advanced to two straight sweet sixteen’s before winning the NIT this past season. 

Gone is the “Princeton” style of offense that Beilein dubbed the “Lemoyne” offense after the school at which he coached early in his career.  Gone is the 1-3-1 zone that had given so many Big East teams trouble in Beilein’s tenure.  Gone is the fundamental, low turnover, three-point barrage style that so many have become accustomed to seeing at WVU. 

However, it wasn’t shocking to most that Beilein was heading to “Maize-er” pastures due to the fact that son Patrick no longer played on the team and Beilein’s tendency to leave schools after just five seasons.  Only once in his career has he spent more than five seasons at a school.

But Beilein didn’t leave Huggins empty handed.  Only two players, three point sharp-shooter Frank Young and big man Rob Summers, are departing after a season in which many young players saw significant game action. 

Freshman Da’Sean Butler and Joe Mazzula came on late in the season and many other young players such as Wellington Smith and Jonnie West, son of WVU legend Jerry West, and a slue of other “diaper-dandies” should bring excitement to Huggins’ run and gun style.

Complementing the young talent are veteran point guard Darris Nichols and the 7-footer Jamie Smalligan, as well as Alex Ruoff and Joe Alexander.  Alexander faded late in the season but Nichols, Ruoff and Smalligan picked up the play on the way to WVU’s first NIT championship. 

Despite the 48 hour roller coaster ride of emotions with Beilein’s departure and Huggins’ hiring spirits are up in Morgantown as the Huggins joins fellow West Virginia alum Rich Rodriguez as coach of an elite sports program at WVU.

Huggins arrives with credentials as well.  In his 17 seasons as head coach of Cincinnati and Kansas State, Huggins has amassed nearly 600 wins.  Totaling 590 and brings with him significant NCAA Tournament experience.  A perfect fit for a squad that has been on the cusp of the Final Four a couple of times in the last three seasons.

“This has always been a dream for me to coach here,” said Huggins, “My wife says whenever I get within 20 miles of Morgantown my face lights up and I start to smile and get happy.”

There are plenty of smiles not only on the faces of the WVU basketball team, but the fans as well.  “It’s great to be home,” said Huggins.

Welcome back Bobby.