West Virginia Coach Bob Huggins Falls In Minor Health Scare During 77-62 Win Over Texas

West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins momentarily frightened his team’s home crowd on Monday night when he unexpectedly fell to his knees on the court during a timeout just before halftime.

West Virginia Coach Bob Huggins Falls In Win Vs Texas

Huggins’ players and assistants rapidly came to his aid as the coach began clutching his chest. He was examined by medical professionals and returned to coach the second half of the 12th-ranked Mountaineers’ 77-62 victory over the Texas Longhorns.

Huggins later told ESPN’s Holly Rowe that he fell because his “defibrillator went off.” The 63-year-old coach, who previously led Kansas State and Cincinnati’s basketball teams, suffered a heart attack in 2002 and was fitted for the defibrillator.

The coach said he is fine, but added it felt like someone had slammed him in the back.

In his post-game press conference, Huggins was asked if he was afraid he would be hit with a technical foul when he fell on the court.

“I’m surprised I didn’t; I’m actually shocked I didn’t,” Huggins said with a smile.

He then described the examination he underwent during halftime.

“I talked to a couple people, but I didn’t get hooked up to any machines or anything,” said Huggins, who added that when the defibrillator goes off, “it comes out of nowhere.”

Huggins said he got a little lightheaded when he stood back up, but attributed that to old age, as well as some of the medication he takes.

Texas coach Shaka Smart later exchanged well wishes with Huggins.

Lamont West scored a career-high 23 points in WVU’s (22-6, 10-5 Big 12) win. Texas (10-18, 4-11) opened the game with a 12-2 run, but trailed 46-32 at halftime.

West Virginia next visit TCU on Saturday afternoon, when Texas will host Kansas.

NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Bob Huggins of the West Virginia Mountaineers reacts after being called for a technical foul against the Temple Owls in the first half during the championship game of the NIT Season Tip-Off at Barclays Center on November 25, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)