Looks like Nancy Zimpher might be getting her wish

[paintmered]

Buyout possible for Huggins
No contract extension offered yet by UC to basketball coach

By Bill Koch
Enquirer staff writer

University of Cincinnati president Nancy Zimpher did not offer basketball coach Bob Huggins a contract extension or rollover when the two met in her office Wednesday afternoon, leaving Huggins, for now, with the option of completing the final two years of his contract or accepting a buyout proposal, sources familiar with the negotiations confirmed Thursday.

However, the negotiations are ongoing.

UC athletic director Bob Goin would say only: "There was an initial meeting and I know of no final outcome of those negotiations."

Goin declined further comment.

The buyout proposal that was offered to Huggins essentially is the same one that's included in his basic contract. That proposal calls for Huggins, if he is terminated without cause, to receive "monthly payments at the rate of $700,000 per year from the date of ... such termination without cause through the expiration of the term of this contract."

With two years left on his contract, Huggins would receive $1.4 million if he accepts the termination proposal.

Wednesday's meeting took place in Zimpher's office on campus and included Zimpher, Huggins, Goin, Board of Trustees chairman Phil Cox and Board vice chairman Jeff Wyler. Huggins had the rollover provision of his contract removed last summer in response to his arrest and conviction on a charge of driving under the influence. Before that, his contract rolled over on July 1 of each year so that he always had four years left.

Zimpher, through university spokesman Greg Hand, declined comment Thursday night. Huggins could not be reached; his lawyer, Richard Katz, declined comment.

Huggins has a 399-127 record in 16 seasons at UC. His teams have made 14 straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

[flyer85]

sounds like it is just of matter of "when".

[Roy Tucker]

I think Nancy better be careful for what she wishes for.

There was a big ole dry spell for UC hoops before Huggins showed up (Badger/Yates) and I predict a long dry spell after he leaves.

[flyer85]

I think Nancy better be careful for what she wishes for.

There was a big ole dry spell for UC hoops before Huggins showed up (Badger/Yates) and I predict a long dry spell after he leaves.

it's not like next years team is loaded. Going in to a tough Big East with the current roster is going to be a challenge.

Maybe Nancy decided she would like UC to be an known as an institution of higher learning instead of a basketball school with "issues".

[SunDeck]

I think Nancy better be careful for what she wishes for.

There was a big ole dry spell for UC hoops before Huggins showed up (Badger/Yates) and I predict a long dry spell after he leaves.

The guy had a DUI on national television. It takes time to get back into the good graces of your boss after you embarrass yourself and your program like that. I don't see this as an indication that he's got one foot out the door, but it does look like Zimpfer is trying to send some kind of a message. It's not clear at this point what she wants out of the program, but I think people are right to be concerned about Hugg's long term situation.

[flyer85]

I don't see this as an indication that he's got one foot out the door, but it does look like Zimpfer is trying to send some kind of a message.

By not getting an extension it does, it hurts recruiting because everyone else can play to the perception that the coach is on his way out. Either Huggins will get an extension or he will be gone. The third possible outcome(staying with no extension) is a third rail.

[SunDeck]

By not getting an extension it does, it hurts recruiting because everyone else can play to the perception that the coach is on his way out. Either Huggins will get an extension or he will be gone. The third possible outcome(staying with no extension) is a third rail.

Very good point RC.

[Roy Tucker]

The guy had a DUI on national television. It takes time to get back into the good graces of your boss after you embarrass yourself and your program like that. I don't see this as an indication that he's got one foot out the door, but it does look like Zimpfer is trying to send some kind of a message. It's not clear at this point what she wants out of the program, but I think people are right to be concerned about Hugg's long term situation.

Good point. But I thought I read where after Huggins' DUI last year, they took away the automatic roll-over of his 4 year contract as a warning shot across his bow. And, from what I've read in the press, Huggins has cleaned up his act. I'm sure the timing of the Bright incident and Banks leaving school didn't help. It's a real tough call for Zimpher.

I view all college Division 1 sports with a very jaundiced eye. There are very few programs, be it hoops, football, etc. that hasn't sold their soul to the throne of the almighty dollar. Div. 1 men's hoops and football are moneymakers, period. And UC is no exception.

And this is a genuine question; Do the sports programs at big-time schools *really* affect their academic reputation? The exposure to high level academia that I've had I would say no. The whole research/teaching aspect of a university pretty much stands (or falls) on the the merit of the quality of staff, facilities, and their output. Do schools who go on NCAA probation lose enrollment, academic standing, etc as a result?

[SunDeck]

And this is a genuine question; Do the sports programs at big-time schools *really* affect their academic reputation? The exposure to high level academia that I've had I would say no. The whole research/teaching aspect of a university pretty much stands (or falls) on the the merit of the quality of staff, facilities, and their output. Do schools who go on NCAA probation lose enrollment, academic standing, etc as a result?

I think that's a good question and I'd venture that the answer is no. The athletic world and the academic world are separate universes, in my experience (at a school that also had a precipitous downfall in it's hoop program- NC State). Moreover, it's silly and naive for anyone to try to even evaluate a shool's academic reputation based on one particular criteria. Student's don't attend the entire university, only a portion of it. How they do academically relates much more to a set of details that relates to their individual experience at the school and the program they enrolled in. Just my opinion.

Here's a sort of example; there are great programs at UC like engineering and the design programs at DAAP, the business school has a solid reputation, etc. But do you know what one of their most prestigious and highly respected programs is? Classics! You couldn't find a program more removed from athletics than that, could you?

[Caveat Emperor]

And this is a genuine question; Do the sports programs at big-time schools *really* affect their academic reputation? The exposure to high level academia that I've had I would say no. The whole research/teaching aspect of a university pretty much stands (or falls) on the the merit of the quality of staff, facilities, and their output. Do schools who go on NCAA probation lose enrollment, academic standing, etc as a result?

Actually, yes, they do in two majors way:

1. Application Rate: Virginia Tech is the classic example of this. After Michael Vick led them to the national championship game, their application rate for undergraduate admission went up by something close to 50% for the next year. People who otherwise would never have heard of Virginia Tech saw them on national TV because of the title game and other coverage associated with it and then decided to apply to school. A high application rate for a static number of students lets the school be more selective in picking individuals for admission, which raises academic reputation and ranking.

Duke and North Carolina are great schools, but just ask yourself how many applications they get each year are from kids who have no business going there but just really like the hoops programs.

2. Donations: Successful sports teams lead to greater alumni involvement in the school and greater financial contributions. If anything derails Nancy Zimpher from firing Huggins, this will do it. There are too many local UC alums in Cincinnati that are funding projects like the athletic village and other new construction around campus that would close the checkbook immediately if Huggins was fired.

In fact, now that word about this story has leaked out, I imagine that her office (today) is going to be flooded with calls from a lot of people the university depends on for support, stating that they will not contribute if Bob Huggins is fired.

Zimpher is out of her league on this one, and the boosters/alumni will let her know about it quickly. Coming from a school that has absolutely terrible major sports programs myself, I can only implore UC fans to pick up the phone and call the office today. Nothing is worse than having your only mention on ESPN be on the bottom line when you've been blown out yet again.

[SunDeck]

Actually, yes, they do in two majors way:

1. Application Rate: Virginia Tech is the classic example of this. After Michael Vick led them to the national championship game, their application rate for undergraduate admission went up by something close to 50% for the next year. People who otherwise would never have heard of Virginia Tech saw them on national TV because of the title game and other coverage associated with it and then decided to apply to school. A high application rate for a static number of students lets the school be more selective in picking individuals for admission, which raises academic reputation and ranking.

Duke and North Carolina are great schools, but just ask yourself how many applications they get each year are from kids who have no business going there but just really like the hoops programs.

But does it enhance the academic reputation of the school when they get more applications from people who are actually dumb enough to base their decision on that? I suppose, but only in terms of their turnaway stats. So, the school's reputation may be enhanced, but I wonder about the status of it academically.

V-Tech was working hard on their image long before Vick came along. Additionally, applications at NC State where I worked also spiked in the mid nineties, and that had more to do with the fact that they had good computer science and computer engineering programs (think internet bubble). V-Tech, being a very similar land grant school may have had the same experience. Just guessing though.

2. Donations: Successful sports teams lead to greater alumni involvement in the school and greater financial contributions. If anything derails Nancy Zimpher from firing Huggins, this will do it. There are too many local UC alums in Cincinnati that are funding projects like the athletic village and other new construction around campus that would close the checkbook immediately if Huggins was fired.

No argument there.

[Matt700wlw]

The guy had a DUI on national television..

No the guy got a DUI, like Ryan Freel did, like Justin Smith did, like Steve McNair did, etc.....the media put it on National Television - that was their choice

That wasn't necessary....it was a wrong enough and plenty humiliating before the media let the world see it, especially over and over and over and over again.

Is the man a saint? Far from it. Does the man deserve to be run out of town? Absolutely not

[CrackerJack]

I assume people here have heard about Roy Bright being kicked off the team for dropping a loaded gun on campus and top recruit Vincent Baker leaving the team for "personal reasons."

I think the string of problems he's had with these kids and the program are enough - and to be honest as a long-time UC fan I am utterly tired of Huggins' act, the underachieving, the constant criminal problems etc..,

His program is out of control and his recruiting has suffered of late (despite having some good young talent going into next year - they're just going to be a very young team that will struggle early probably).

A change is sorely needed - I respect what he's done here tremendously and how he ressurected the program - of course who they replace him with - if they do - is key to keeping the program on the same level. I think that's very possible with all of the campus changes and the move to the Big East.

Although one thing UC and Cincinnati Police could stand to do is clean up Clifton Heights and Corryville - you are literally risking your life walking around those areas at night and I moved out of Clifton a couple of years ago as I was tired of people being shot, car jacked, and mugged literally on a weekly basis in certain areas of the neighborhood.

[SunDeck]

I assume people here have heard about Roy Bright being kicked off the team for dropping a loaded gun on campus and top recruit Vincent Baker leaving the team for "personal reasons."

I think the string of problems he's had with these kids and the program are enough - and to be honest as a long-time UC fan I am utterly tired of Huggins' act, the underachieving, the constant criminal problems etc..,

His program is out of control and his recruiting has suffered of late (despite having some good young talent going into next year - they're just going to be a very young team that will struggle early probably).

A change is sorely needed - I respect what he's done here tremendously and how he ressurected the program - of course who they replace him with - if they do - is key to keeping the program on the same level. I think that's very possible with all of the campus changes and the move to the Big East.

Although one thing UC and Cincinnati Police could stand to do is clean up Clifton Heights and Corryville - you are literally risking your life walking around those areas at night and I moved out of Clifton a couple of years ago as I was tired of people being shot, car jacked, and mugged literally on a weekly basis in certain areas of the neighborhood.

On the thread that started with the latest incident, it was mentioned that Huggs takes chances on kids. That's a point I have tended to overlook. Not saying it's been a success, but he has walked a thin line, trying to take kids who are athletes and get them into a nationally ranked college program. Some of them have worked out well, some haven't, clearly.

[CrackerJack]

Classics? The conservatory is also obviously one of the best music schools in the world. UC is a great state funded city school and always will be and is a nice thing to have here in town - they are the city's largest employer and provide all kinds of benefits to us who live here.

Considering the rather pathetic student involvement and attendance to the football and basketball games over the years, it's pretty obvious the students don't really care as much about the athletic programs as do the surrounding population and alums and friends of alums who consider UC a city icon and staple and are really the only major college sports affiliation we have outside of OSU, IU and UK.