West Virginia University Director of Athletics Shane Lyons has announced a four-year contract extension to 2021-22 for basketball coach Bob Huggins, extending his relationship with the University until 2027. The amended employment agreement takes effect immediately.
“This is a great day for our department. I want Bob Huggins leading our basketball program for many years to come,” Lyons said. “Bob is a future Hall of Famer, who cares about his players and this University. His teams have been highly successful on the court and in the classroom. In finalizing this contract extension, I wanted the eighth all-time and third-winningest active Division I coach on our sideline leading his alma mater.”
Under the agreement, following the 2021-22 season, Huggins will assume a five-year Emeritus status within the WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, which concludes June 30, 2027. He will be involved in public relations and development activities in addition to other duties assigned at that time by the Director of Athletics. Huggins could defer his term of Emeritus status and continue to serve as head coach beyond 2021-22 with a mutual agreement between Huggins and the Director.
Huggins, who is in his 11th season as head coach of the Mountaineers, will be paid an annualized salary of $3,750,000 this season — $250,000 in base pay and the remainder in supplemental pay – all from revenue generated by the athletic department.
Huggins’ contract calls for yearly increases in annual compensation — $100,000 each year — $3,850,000 in 2018-19, $3,950,000 in 2019-20, $4,050,000 in 2020-21 and $4,150,000 in 2021-22.
His base salary in the Emeritus status will be $50,000 per year plus deferred compensation from the previous employment agreement. His first year as Emeritus status will pay him $550,000.
Huggins, who has won 819 games in his 36th season as head coach, is the third-winningest active coach and eighth all-time in Division I with 819 career victories. He has directed his alma mater to 229 victories, the 2010 Final Four and nine postseason appearances, including eight NCAA tournaments (four NCAA Sweet 16s), during his 10 seasons in Morgantown.
Off the court, the WVU men’s basketball team under Huggins has ranked in the top 10 percent of all squads four times since 2010, including 2016 and 2017, in the NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR). The Mountaineers were recognized by the NCAA in 2016 and 2017 for perfect APR scores.
“I want to thank President Gee, Shane Lyons and our administration for their support and commitment to Mountaineer Basketball,” Huggins said. “I am very lucky to be able to coach in the state and at the University that I love so much. I also want to also thank my family, friends and our fans for all their love and support. We will continue to work hard every day so that we can make this great state proud of its basketball team.”
