West Virginia's Bob Huggins has received a contract extension that includes the choice of moving into another role or continuing his basketball coaching duties beyond the 2017-18 season.
Athletic director Oliver Luck said the 59-year-old Huggins will earn $3 million this season, including a base salary of $250,000. The contract runs through 2022-23.
Under the agreement released Wednesday, starting with the 2018-19 season, Huggins can assume a five-year appointment in public relations and development along with other duties assigned by the athletic director at a base salary of $50,000 a year. Or Huggins can choose to continue serving as head coach.
The contract replaces one Huggins signed in 2008.
''We are delighted to have an updated agreement in place that will continue to keep Coach Huggins at WVU for his entire career,'' Luck said in a statement. His passion, caring and love for the University and the state of West Virginia is incredible. We look forward to many more years of successful Mountaineer basketball under his guidance.''
Huggins is in his 31st season as a head coach and his 710 career wins are the third most among active Division I coaches. The Mountaineers have gone to the NCAA tournament in each of Huggins' five seasons.
''I feel blessed to be able to end my coaching career at my alma mater - the place that all West Virginians love,'' Huggins said. ''I'm very fortunate to work for an administration that shows our passion for this University and this state. It's rare for a University to redo an existing contract to make sure that their people are taken care of and reassured to coach at that institution. Many thanks to all the people who have been so supportive of me, my family and Mountaineer basketball. I'm truly blessed.''
