Kedrian Johnson Voices Opinion on WVU Coaching Search
Wren Baker will have many resumes to sift through over the coming weeks as he narrows his search for the next head men's basketball coach at WVU. He even told reporters at his most recent press conference that he will "always have an ear" for donors and others whose opinions hold some weight.
Monday morning, I had a brief conversation with former West Virginia guard Kedrian Johnson and I asked him the question point-blank. Who would you hire as the next head coach? His answer was clear and concise.
"One name …BOB HUGGINS," Johnson said.
When I asked why he is the best person for the job, he responded, "Because Bob Huggins IS West Virginia!"
Nothing else to it.
His case for Huggins to get a second chance didn't need a list of reasons because quite frankly, the resume speaks for itself and everyone makes mistakes. All of the off-the-court stuff that transpired last summer is a touchy subject for everyone, but when it comes to just looking at the success of potential candidates, no one has accomplished more than Bob Huggins.
Johnson spent three years with Huggins in Morgantown but his relationship goes a little further back to his recruitment out of junior college. He knows the type of person Huggs is and realizes how much he can positively impact young players.
Of course, the mistakes Huggins made are inexcusable and were acts of someone who was not suited to lead the program at the time. But it's been nearly a year and Huggins has made a lot of progress focusing on his health and would like to continue coaching.
Kedrian Johnson isn't the only one who believes WVU should give Huggs another chance. Others have voiced their opinion and will continue to do so throughout the month of March. Will Wren Baker take this into consideration?
Probably not. I don't get the sense whatsoever that Baker or the administration would entertain the idea of re-hiring Huggins. I believe they are ready to move on to the next chapter of Mountaineer basketball, while respecting what Huggins did over his 16-year stint as the head coach.
