A Timeline of WVU's Chaotic Offseason & Run of Bad Luck

The WVU men's basketball program has been through an offseason like no other. A Hall of Fame coach gets into double trouble leading to his resignation and from that moment on, chaos ensued. Below is a detailed timeline of everything that has took place this offseason for the Mountaineers.

5/8 - Bob Huggins radio incident

During a call-in appearance on Bill Cunningham’s WLW radio show in Cincinnati, Huggins used a homophobic slur when discussing Xavier fans.

5/24 - Josiah Davis enters transfer portal

6/16 - Huggins DUI arrest

Bob Huggins charged with a DUI in Pittsburgh after failing standard field sobriety tests.

6/17 - WVU announces Huggins resignation

"Coach Huggins informed us of his intent to retire and has submitted his letter of resignation, and we have accepted it in light of recent events. We support his decision so that he can focus on his health and family. On behalf of West Virginia University, we share our appreciation for his service to our University, our community and our state. During his time as a student-athlete, assistant coach and head coach, Coach Huggins devoted himself to his players, to our student body, to our fans and alumni and to all West Virginians. His contributions will always be a part of our history. In the days ahead, we will focus on supporting the student-athletes in our men's basketball program and solidifying leadership for our program." - statement from the university.

6/18-23 - Coaching search

WVU conducted a brief national search to replace Huggins. Reported candidates of interest include Jerrod Calhoun (Youngstown State), Andy Kennedy (UAB).

6/22 - Tre Mitchell enters transfer portal

6/23 - Kerr Kriisa re-enters transfer portal

6/23 - Joe Toussaint enters transfer portal

6/24 - Eilert named Interim Head Coach

After a round of interviews in an accelerated search, WVU stays in-house. Eilert joined Huggins' staff at Kansas State and followed him over to Morgantown. He served as the team's video coordinator for six seasons before moving into the role of Assistant Athletics Director for Basketball Operations. Last July, Eilert moved into an assistant coach role, replacing Erik Martin who became the head coach at South Carolina State.

6/25 - Kerr Kriisa announces return to WVU

6/26 - James Okonkwo enters transfer portal

6/26 - Mohamed Wague enters transfer portal

7/4 - Joe Toussaint transfers to Texas Tech

7/5 - Jose Perez enters transfer portal

7/5 - Mohamed Wague transfers to Alabama

7/6 - James Okonkwo transfers to North Carolina

7/8 - Huggins says he didn't resign

Huggins' new legal representative, Dan Campbell from the law firm Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith out of Cincinnati, Ohio, sent a letter to the university stating that Huggins is seeking the "correction of a clear breach of employment agreement with WVU," adding he never officially sent in his resignation to WVU, and he is rightful head coach of the Mountaineers.

7/9 - WVU lands Florida State transfer Jeremiah Bembry

7/20 - WVU lands St. John's transfer Quinn Slazinski

7/21 - Jose Perez announces return to WVU

7/26 - Tre Mitchell transfers to Kentucky

7/27 - Eilert announces addition of James Dickey as senior advisor

7/28 - WVU lands commitment from Ofri Naveh

8/2 - Eilert adds Da'Sean Butler and Jordan McCabe to coaching staff

8/10 - Omar Silverio denied waiver

Manhattan transfer Omar Silverio doesn't receive waiver from NCAA and brings his collegiate career to an end.

8/17 - WVU lands Eastern Michigan transfer Noah Farrakhan

9/7 - WVU lands Gannon transfer Ali Ragab

9/30 - WVU parts ways w/ Jose Perez

Eilert announces the program has moved on from Jose Perez. Perez later took to social media explaining that the dismissal stemmed over a disagreement in classes/study hall.

10/15 - Jose Perez transfers to Arizona State

10/23 - RaeQuan Battle denied waiver

Because Battle did not graduate from Montana State and already used his one-time transfer going from Washington to Montana State, he and WVU had to seek a waiver. Eilert felt like there was a good chance Battle would be approved and still feels that way with the appeal.

10/27 - Akok Akok taken to hospital

In the opening minutes of the second half of West Virginia's charity exhibition against George Mason, WVU forward Akok Akok collapsed on the floor. He attempted to get up but was unable to. Medical staff and trainers worked with him for roughly 10-15 minutes before loading him up on to a stretcher. He was transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital for further testing. He is now home and recovering.

10/31 - Kerr Kriisa Suspended

“In late August 2023, West Virginia University learned of a potential eligibility concern for men’s basketball transfer student-athlete Kerr Kriisa, who admitted to receiving impermissible benefits while enrolled at the University of Arizona. West Virginia worked cooperatively with the NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement Staff to reach an appropriate resolution. As a result of his actions, Kriisa will miss nine (9) 2023-2024 regular season games as part of his eligibility reinstatement. Kriisa will be able to continue to practice and travel with the team during his suspension from competition. He accepts responsibility for his actions at Arizona and looks forward to joining his Mountaineer teammates on the floor.” - statement from the university.

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