Following his 40-minute session with local media upon return from his suspension Friday, University of Cincinnati basketball coach Bob Huggins sat down with Enquirer reporter Bill Koch in the coaches' locker room at Fifth Third Arena and talked about the suspension.

Q. You often say that players appreciate the game of basketball more when they come back to it after it's been taken away from them. Does the same apply to you in this situation?

A. I think mine is a little bit different. I think I've always had a great appreciation for the game. I haven't ever known anything else. I think I have a greater appreciation for getting away. I legitimately have gone eight to 10 years without a vacation. It's not so bad. It's actually kind of refreshing.

Q. When you were suspended, athletic director Bob Goin said he was permitting you "the opportunity to reflect, re-energize and update" your life priorities. Did you feel that way, or did you feel as if the suspension was more of a punishment?

A. I never really thought about it. I'm going to say it one more time and then I don't ever want to say it again. I made a mistake. When you make mistakes and do wrong, you deserve to be punished. I never said that I didn't deserve to be punished, I did.

Q. You said the time away was good for you, but was it difficult at first?

A. It was hard to do the whole time. I'm used to being here six days a week. I've never done the other. I just never have, and I found out that it isn't so bad. I missed going to work. I miss my kids. I really do. I miss the interaction that I have with them. I miss the interaction I have with my coaches. I enjoy being around those people and always have.

Thank God for my former guys that they came around. They were always there. They were terrific. You find out who your friends are.

Q. Who gave you the most support during this?

A. (My wife) June was great. She really was. She was great. And the kids were great.

Q. Do you think you were treated fairly by UC president Nancy Zimpher and Goin?

A. I don't think it matters. He is the boss. He has to do what he thinks is the right thing to do. Nancy has to do what she thinks is the right thing to do. You would hope that the loyalty I've shown would mean something, and I think it did.

Q. Did you ever think about resigning or retiring?

A. I'm not ready to retire yet.

Q. When you were first suspended, did you have any idea how long the suspension would last?

A. I didn't know. That was the hardest part. Once I found out (on July 15) when I was coming back, it was a lot easier. You can say, "Go relax," but it's hard to relax when you don't know when.

Q. How do you think the media handled the situation?

A. Everybody's got a job to do.

Q. How hard will it be to put this behind you? When you go to other cities and reporters call you, do you think it will keep coming up?

A. I think if you guys can (put it behind you), it will (stop coming up). If everything you write you continue to put it in there, then it's going to keep coming up. I think everything starts here.

Q. Did you seek advice from anyone while you were suspended?

A. I did what I thought I needed to do. Not really. I wanted to go get checked. I did that. I wanted to go do an evaluation and I did a couple. I wanted to know for me.

Q. Did you wonder if you had a drinking problem?

A. I didn't think I did. But I'm not an expert.