<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">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.</div> Source
Zimpher's been out to get him ever since she took over. While I am in no way saying that Huggins shouldn't be punished and admonished for his drunk driving (it's a huge problem in this country and I am all for tough penalties), she doesn't seem to realize that Huggins is the most important part of Cincinnati's team. He's the institution there. And heading into a tougher Big East, the school is gonna need a guy like him who's been around, a guy who recruits well. I think that getting rid of Huggins would be suicide for Cincy's basketball team.
