University of Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins returned to Cincinnati on Thursday and is trying to decide whether he wants to remain with the Bearcats or start anew at his alma mater.

        Huggins, 48, met with West Virginia officials this week to discuss the Mountaineers' head basketball coach's job.

        Bret Adams, Huggins' Columbus-based lawyer, said Thursday he could not confirm that a written offer was made to Huggins.

        But the job is clearly Huggins' if he wants it.

        “Bob is back in town and still in the process of making a decision,” Adams said. “It's a tough decision. It's a personal decision. When he knows in his heart what he wants to do, we'll let everyone know. There's no timetable.”

        West Virginia is searching for a replacement for Gale Catlett, who resigned Feb.14.

        Local television and radio stations camped out at Shoemaker Center for several hours Thursday, hoping to catch Huggins returning to campus. Which he didn't.

        Outside, an airplane carrying a banner reading, “Bobby, Please Help! WVU fans” flew over Cincinnati. Inside Shoemaker, a poster-sized banner was placed on the wall opposite the UC basketball office, reading, “We love you Coach Huggins. Please stay forever. Your fans.”

        UC athletic director Bob Goin spoke with Huggins on Thursday, and the two were expected to meet later in the day. Goin also had a regularly scheduled meeting with President Dr.Joseph A. Steger late in the afternoon, sports information director Tom Hathaway said. That was not set up specifically to discuss Huggins.

        The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, citing an unnamed source close to Huggins, reported Thursday he was ready to accept the Mountaineers job but that he had changed his mind and would remain at UC.

        A story on www.wvmetronews.com Thursday cited two sources who talked to Huggins on Thursday as saying Huggins strongly denied the Post-Gazette story.

        Huggins and Goin could not be reached for comment.

'Huggins Watch' continues

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