Five realistic candidates WVU should consider to replace Bob Huggins

Since taking over his position, Baker has made one impactful hiring, appointing ex-Stephen F. Austin HC Mark Kellogg to lead the women's team. If there's one takeaway from the move, it's evident Baker is willing to bring in people he knows well. From 2010-13, the 44-year-old Baker served as AD at Northwest Missouri State, where he also hired Kellogg to be the head coach of the women's team. 

McCollum, 42, wasn't hired by Baker, as he's been with the Bearcats since 2009, but their experience together should give him the inside track to land the Mountaineers' coaching job. In 15 seasons, McCollum has built a dynasty, as his program has had more national championship-winning seasons (four) than it has missed qualifying for the NCAA Division II Tournament (three). 

Given his age and connection to Baker, McCollum is an ideal choice to replace Huggins and would provide the long-term stability the school now lacks.

Ron Everhart, West Virginia assistant coach

Although McCollum might be the best candidate in the long run, his hire wouldn't necessarily make the current players more inclined to stick around. As the new transfers have spent some time with Huggins' staff, making an internal hire could be the wisest course of action to ensure limited roster turnover.

Should Baker opt for the internal route, Everhart seems like the obvious choice to promote. Everhart has been with West Virginia since 2012 and is the only assistant with Division I head-coaching experience on the staff. In 18 seasons at McNeese State, Northeastern and Duquesne, Everhart compiled a 273-261 record but never reached the NCAA Tournament.

John Beilein, Detroit Pistons senior adviser 

Perhaps the most intriguing candidate West Virginia could hire is the coach Huggins took over for. Beilein was the Mountaineers' second choice when they conducted a coaching search in 2002, but he excelled in the role with a 104–60 record over five seasons.

The Mountaineers qualified for the NCAA Tournament twice under Beilein and won the NIT Tournament in 2007 before he took the Michigan head-coaching job. 

At Michigan, Beilein saw his most success as a coach, making nine NCAA Tournament appearances in 12 seasons, including two trips to the national championship. His success with the Wolverines landed him a job with the Cleveland Cavaliers, with whom he went 14-40 as head coach before resigning. 

Beilein hasn't shown much interest in returning to college basketball, but he recently moved back to Morgantown, so this could be the perfect situation for him. At 70 years old, Beilein is unlikely to hold the position for long. However, his familiarity with the program could prolong a potential tenure for a few seasons until Baker finds a suitable replacement.

Jerrod Calhoun, Youngstown State head coach

Stadium's Jeff Goodman named Calhoun as a potential target for West Virginia, and the current Penguins coach's familiarity with Huggins' system could help facilitate a smooth transition.

Calhoun briefly served as a student assistant under Huggins at Cincinnati and joined his staff at West Virginia in 2007 until Fairmont State hired him to be its head coach. After posting a 124–38 record at the Division II school, Calhoun moved on to mid-major Youngstown State, where he has been since 2017. 

While it has been a long road to success for the Penguins, Calhoun guided them to a 24-10 record last season and was named Horizon League Coach of the Year. With the opportunity to work for a school willing to make significant financial commitments, Calhoun would likely have an easier time getting the post-Huggins era up and running. 

Andy Kennedy, UAB head coach

Another Huggins protégé, Kennedy served under the Hall of Famer at Cincinnati (2001-06) before taking over at Ole Miss, where he became the program's winningest coach (245-156). After resigning from his position with the Rebels, Kennedy spent two seasons as an analyst for the SEC Network until his alma mater UAB hired him. 

Over the last three seasons, Kennedy has led the Blazers to a 78–25 record with one NCAA Tournament appearance and a second-place finish in the 2023 NIT. 

Per NJ.com's Adam Zagoria, Kennedy's name is linked to the West Virginia job. As someone who has been successful wherever he has been, hiring Kennedy could give the Mountaineers their strongest chance of competing for a national championship next season.