Bob Huggins was born in Morgantown, W.Va. He played basketball at West Virginia University and holds two degrees from the school.He was twice an Academic All-American and was the team's most valuable player as a senior. He began his coaching career there as a graduate assistant in 1977-78.

        Now the question is: Is Huggins interested in leaving the University of Cincinnati after 13 years and becoming the Mountaineers' coach?

        That opportunity exists now that longtime WVU coach Gale Catlett, also a former UC coach, announced his retirement Thursday.

        Several people close to Huggins, 48, have said the Bearcats coach would have interest in West Virginia should that job become available.

        “As his attorney, you can't deny the fact that it's his alma mater,” Bret Adams, Huggins' agent, said Thursday night. “And if West Virginia came knocking, he would probably listen to what they have to say.”

        Huggins' name has also been mentioned in the Denver newspapers as a candidate for the Nuggets' job, and Adams has a business relationship with Denver owner Stan Kroenke.

        Huggins could not be reached for comment.

        Catlett's retirement takes effect at the end of the season, but assistant coach Drew Catlett, Gale's nephew, will take over the bench coaching duties immediately.

        West Virginia athletic director Ed Pastilong said he has known Huggins since coming to West Virginia in 1975 — when Huggins was a student-athlete — as a member of the football staff.

        “We're going to give some attention to Gale here for the next few weeks,” Pastilong said. “The thing that we very much want to keep in mind is teams are still playing, and in respect to them and their coaches, we want to make sure that we don't disrupt any particular school with any inquiries that would harm them.

        “So, we're going to, at the appropriate time, make some inquiries, but that time is not right now.”

        When asked specifically about Huggins, Pastilong said: “We haven't put a list together.”

        Catlett coached UC for six seasons from 1972-78, going to the NCAA Tournament three times and the National Invitation Tournament once. His teams were 126-44 (.741).

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