By Bill Koch
Enquirer staff writer
Oscar Robertson, who put the University of Cincinnati basketball program on the map in the late 1950s, is being called on to hold it together 44 years after he graduated.
Interim head coach Dan Peters accepted the job of associate head coach at Ohio State under former Xavier coach Thad Matta, leaving UC without leadership until suspended coach Bob Huggins returns Aug. 27.
UC athletic director Bob Goin called Robertson on Tuesday morning and asked if he would serve as interim head coach.
"I said, 'Bob, do you really want me to do this?' " Robertson said.
Once he realized Goin was serious, Robertson, a statue of whom looms outside Fifth Third Arena on the UC campus, didn't hesitate to say yes.
"This is something I want to do for the university because of the difficult times they're having now," he said. "Knowing the players as well as I do, I think I can help."
Huggins was arrested for drunken driving June 8 in Fairfax and was suspended June 12.
Robertson, in his role as interim head coach, will provide oversight and meet with UC players on a regular basis, as well as provide counseling on their academic and on- and off-the-court responsibilities. He will not have any off-campus recruiting duties.
Robertson, president of a chemical company named Orchem, said he will step aside when Huggins returns.
He said he will not set up office hours at UC.
"I'm not going to be in the office every day," he said. "I'll go and see Bob Goin from time to time to talk about certain things with the players."
The former UC great said he was sorry about the situation in which that Huggins' arrest for drunken driving has placed the UC program.
"I'm sorry about Bob," Robertson said. "He made a terrible mistake. We've just got to get beyond this."
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E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com
