Unabated Sports

Bob Huggins and Nancy Zimpher will now have the freedom to experience life without the other, just like after any break-up. The school president can try and court other coaches. Huggings can test the waters at another school.

The president and the board of trustees have a tough road ahead. Some coaching candidates will be wary of stepping into this situation following the way Huggins was dismissed. Also, following a man who was considered to be not just the face of the program, but the program itself, will intimidate some. Every move the president makes now has the complete attention of a very angry fan base with a long memory. Fans are not only criticizing her athletic department moves, but also questioning academic appointments. When people are bringing up the head of the law department on sports talk radio, that's a clear cut sign that you've made some bad PR choices.

The coach will land on his feet, more than likely. He'll be on someone's bench next year, assuming he wants to go back into coaching. He may even take this year and try his luck with a TV job. People look at me weird when I suggest that. But he's got a dry wit that could work well in a studio environment for CBS or ESPN. Who knows, he may just want to fish all winter.

Either way, the coach is gone. He didn't burn any bridges publicly on the way out. He will be leaving as one of the patron saints of Cincinnati sports. The president and the trustees, though, are still here. With the fans. As everyone watches, Nancy Zimpher will have to make the transition to Huggins's successor as smooth as possible. With the high expectations that exist at U.C., that doesn't seem too likely. If it doesn't go well, she will be leaving UC as the person who killed Bearcat Basketball. Right or wrong, that is the title she will assume if she doesn't bring in the right person to fill some very big shoes.