Less than a week after leading the Bethany men's basketball team into their third NCAA Tournament in the last four years, Bison coach Aaron Huffman stepped down after six years at the helm of the program.
Huffman cited family reasons for spearheading this change in his career, as he has accepted a position in the financial aid office at West Liberty State. He also intends to pursue a doctoral degree in higher educational leadership at West Virginia. Huffman and his wife Courtney already have two young children, Jacob (3) and Jillian (2), with a third child due very shortly.
“I have loved my time here at Bethany, have many great memories that I will cherish, and will miss everyone very much,” said Huffman, who will begin his new position at West Liberty State within the next couple of weeks. “I will especially miss the special relationships I have built with former and present players and coaches -- but, the reality is that my family needs me right now.”
A national search for a successor will begin immediately, according to school president Scott Miller.
After taking over a program which had posted consecutive PAC championships in 2001 and 2002, Huffman continued to build upon that foundation and turned Bethany into one of the top programs in the region. After an 11-15 record in his first year on the sideline, the Bison program didn't win less than 17 games the last five years of Huffman's tenure.
Among the highlights to Huffman's tenure included a 112-53 record, the third-most wins in Bethany history; three PAC Coach of the Year awards; three PAC championships; four postseason appearances, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament; a school-record for single-season victories (24 in 2004-05) and leading Bethany to a conference-record 29-game winning streak against league opponents.
Bethany celebrated its 100th season of men's basketball this past year. In addition to the conference-record winning streak, the Bison have also claimed 12 PAC championships, the most in the 50-year history of the league. In addition, BC has played in the postseason eight times, including six trips to the NCAA Tournament.