KO - Victim of discrimination and denied due process?

[huskymedic]

Based on all of those factors in the aggregate probably not however 50% of the Season’s outcome was caked in prior to the start of the season. Once Gilbert went down the team’s eventual record was predictable and certainly UCONN nation was not prepared to remotely endure another season remotely close to the last 2 seasons. Despite that K.O. Still had a descent case for at least one more year based solely on injuries and the defections. The defections alone set the program back 3 years. Sure you can blame him for those however giving him a year to recover from that was mission impossible.

The politics of this did not allow for another year however on paper and principle it did. I believe he had 4 years left on his deal so on paper as an Alumni contributing to the building of the program, 13 years repping UCONN in the NBA, contributing to a National Title as an assistant, getting hand picked to lead our storied program by the beloved Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun and his performance the first 3 years including winning a National title would at least get him that one more year to right the ship.

Clearly he put a plan together to right the ship with the staff changes that the AD signed off on. The politics of this is why he didn’t get another year. AD needed to protect himself as well. It’s all self preservation now. The use of “Cause” is the issue. Sure with all of that including all of the backstabbing by his prior staff and the current Administration he is prepared to move forward for what he believed he is still owed on the contract.

If K.O gets one more year he either rights the ship or he moves on with a quiet settlement. From a contract value maybe that cost the University $5M to $6M. I think that is something he could live with and would have shown good faith from the Administration.

Of course he didn’t get that and we have what we have now. The Administration made a decision to not give him another year, secure another coach with his mentor’s blessing and usuing “Cause” to save $10M while further damaging K.O’s reputation that he spent his life building including damaging meaningful job prospects. All of this occurring while he was still the coach and before the end of the season.

The politics of this drove the decision by the Administration however the cost to do so should have been $10M per the contract or the lesser of the remaining contract with any subsequent contract with another employer. Take a look at how the University of Texas handled the firing of Charlie Strong. The vile thrown at Charlie Strong was similar but not coming from quote “Family Members”. There was language in his buyout clause that allowed for an offset from any new subsequent contract with a new employer. Charlie quickly moves on as head coach of South Florida right here in the AAC. He moves on puts together a competitive team that is ranked and competes for the com fence title year 1.

This is how it should’ve been handled. In K.O.’s mind I’m sure he is saying to himself that it isn’t his problem if the University can’t find the $10M per his contract. I’m sure he is saying that is “not on me”.

Using “Cause” is the issue and it is causing significant consequential damages. The Administration needs to find the money. If not then the risks are what they are. Like I said before if this contract and use of Cause was so bullet clad why have a process in the first place. Why entertain any settlement if his actions were so aggregiois and beyond the pale? Why dismiss the snake GM comments as hearsay? Why let it even get to this point? Why extend his contract? Why not fire him after the defections? We all know why. The contract wording and money the lack thereof.

Again look at how the University of Texas handled Charlie Strong which was very sensitive. That was the playbook.

You getting paid by the post or by the word?

 

[Yardigan]

Offer or not...it seems likely there were 'terms under which Ollie could have gone quietly/amicably'. Obviously, they couldn't agree on what those were to be. So, here we are...throw out the unwritten rules, code, loyalty, etc. It's all business at this point, each side trying to best cover their own interests. Can't fault either side, would expect nothing less. We don't have any influence...would rather have fun by speculating on final terms, with no real factual input. (I would say that, the most spectacular speculation does come from situations like this, where the public facts likely matter nowhere as much as the non-public facts).

 

[Waquoit]

If K.O gets one more year he either rights the ship or he moves on with a quiet settlement.

If KO gets one more year, he isn't righting any ship. He would have torpedoed it for good. That what the Ollieista's always skip right over.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

"... right the ship ..."?
After the departed's last few years, it's dubious at best to think he could have put 1 toe in a dinghy.

 

[CL82]

"Oh c'mon. Give me one more year to right the ship"​

 

[joober jones]

I never would have thought that one of the UConn guys I respected most and rooted for the hardest would ever become a person I just wanted out of sight and out of mind.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Based on all of those factors in the aggregate probably not however 50% of the Season’s outcome was caked in prior to the start of the season. Once Gilbert went down the team’s eventual record was predictable and certainly UCONN nation was not prepared to remotely endure another season remotely close to the last 2 seasons. Despite that K.O. Still had a descent case for at least one more year based solely on injuries and the defections. The defections alone set the program back 3 years. Sure you can blame him for those however giving him a year to recover from that was mission impossible.

The politics of this did not allow for another year however on paper and principle it did. I believe he had 4 years left on his deal so on paper as an Alumni contributing to the building of the program, 13 years repping UCONN in the NBA, contributing to a National Title as an assistant, getting hand picked to lead our storied program by the beloved Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun and his performance the first 3 years including winning a National title would at least get him that one more year to right the ship.

Clearly he put a plan together to right the ship with the staff changes that the AD signed off on. The politics of this is why he didn’t get another year. AD needed to protect himself as well. It’s all self preservation now. The use of “Cause” is the issue. Sure with all of that including all of the backstabbing by his prior staff and the current Administration he is prepared to move forward for what he believed he is still owed on the contract.

If K.O gets one more year he either rights the ship or he moves on with a quiet settlement. From a contract value maybe that cost the University $5M to $6M. I think that is something he could live with and would have shown good faith from the Administration.

Of course he didn’t get that and we have what we have now. The Administration made a decision to not give him another year, secure another coach with his mentor’s blessing and usuing “Cause” to save $10M while further damaging K.O’s reputation that he spent his life building including damaging meaningful job prospects. All of this occurring while he was still the coach and before the end of the season.

The politics of this drove the decision by the Administration however the cost to do so should have been $10M per the contract or the lesser of the remaining contract with any subsequent contract with another employer. Take a look at how the University of Texas handled the firing of Charlie Strong. The vile thrown at Charlie Strong was similar but not coming from quote “Family Members”. There was language in his buyout clause that allowed for an offset from any new subsequent contract with a new employer. Charlie quickly moves on as head coach of South Florida right here in the AAC. He moves on puts together a competitive team that is ranked and competes for the com fence title year 1.

This is how it should’ve been handled. In K.O.’s mind I’m sure he is saying to himself that it isn’t his problem if the University can’t find the $10M per his contract. I’m sure he is saying that is “not on me”.

Using “Cause” is the issue and it is causing significant consequential damages. The Administration needs to find the money. If not then the risks are what they are. Like I said before if this contract and use of Cause was so bullet clad why have a process in the first place. Why entertain any settlement if his actions were so aggregiois and beyond the pale? Why dismiss the snake GM comments as hearsay? Why let it even get to this point? Why extend his contract? Why not fire him after the defections? We all know why. The contract wording and money the lack thereof.

Again look at how the University of Texas handled Charlie Strong which was very sensitive. That was the playbook.

Thank you for a respectful and respectable response to my question. You can see directly above how it landed for a sample of those who don't share the final paragraphs of your argunent.

I would offer that an equally legitimate framing of the situation is that 2017-18 constituted KO's year to right the ship, and that whatever purported 'trial baloon' AD Benedict floated as the season ended constituted the opportunity for the gentle exit. All else is in the nature of battle moves that I continue to hope ends in settlement

 

[willie99]

Lawyers being lawyers, none of this game of charades matters, it's all political posturing

And it's not going to stop until the final verdict is rendered

People need a bigger "spam" bucket

 

[intlzncster]

I never would have thought that one of the UConn guys I respected most and rooted for the hardest would ever become a person I just wanted out of sight and out of mind.

This is why going 'in the family' blows.

 

[Paesano]

I’m actually ascribing some sense to Herbst and Benedict - if you have someone for cause why would you offer them anything?
That would just signal your case is weak.

Do you actually believe the crap you write? You must really love Ollie and hate UConn because the only other alternative is that you are frighteningly clueless.

 

[whaler11]

Do you actually believe the crap you write? You must really love Ollie and hate UConn because the only other alternative is that you are frighteningly clueless.

Could anyone write something more incorrect?

We can start nice and easy. Post some evidence that an offer was made to Ollie.

 

[DMIL]

If KO gets one more year, he isn't righting any ship. He would have torpedoed it for good. That what the Ollieista's always skip right over.

No one is skipping over that point. You conveniently skip over the fact you dismiss K.O. for performance not “Cause”. Find the money and settle quietly. Charlie Strong and the University of Texas is the playbook.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Based on all of those factors in the aggregate probably not however 50% of the Season’s outcome was caked in prior to the start of the season. Once Gilbert went down the team’s eventual record was predictable and certainly UCONN nation was not prepared to remotely endure another season remotely close to the last 2 seasons. Despite that K.O. Still had a descent case for at least one more year based solely on injuries and the defections. The defections alone set the program back 3 years. Sure you can blame him for those however giving him a year to recover from that was mission impossible.

The politics of this did not allow for another year however on paper and principle it did. I believe he had 4 years left on his deal so on paper as an Alumni contributing to the building of the program, 13 years repping UCONN in the NBA, contributing to a National Title as an assistant, getting hand picked to lead our storied program by the beloved Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun and his performance the first 3 years including winning a National title would at least get him that one more year to right the ship.

Clearly he put a plan together to right the ship with the staff changes that the AD signed off on. The politics of this is why he didn’t get another year. AD needed to protect himself as well. It’s all self preservation now. The use of “Cause” is the issue. Sure with all of that including all of the backstabbing by his prior staff and the current Administration he is prepared to move forward for what he believed he is still owed on the contract.

If K.O gets one more year he either rights the ship or he moves on with a quiet settlement. From a contract value maybe that cost the University $5M to $6M. I think that is something he could live with and would have shown good faith from the Administration.

Of course he didn’t get that and we have what we have now. The Administration made a decision to not give him another year, secure another coach with his mentor’s blessing and usuing “Cause” to save $10M while further damaging K.O’s reputation that he spent his life building including damaging meaningful job prospects. All of this occurring while he was still the coach and before the end of the season.

The politics of this drove the decision by the Administration however the cost to do so should have been $10M per the contract or the lesser of the remaining contract with any subsequent contract with another employer. Take a look at how the University of Texas handled the firing of Charlie Strong. The vile thrown at Charlie Strong was similar but not coming from quote “Family Members”. There was language in his buyout clause that allowed for an offset from any new subsequent contract with a new employer. Charlie quickly moves on as head coach of South Florida right here in the AAC. He moves on puts together a competitive team that is ranked and competes for the com fence title year 1.

This is how it should’ve been handled. In K.O.’s mind I’m sure he is saying to himself that it isn’t his problem if the University can’t find the $10M per his contract. I’m sure he is saying that is “not on me”.

Using “Cause” is the issue and it is causing significant consequential damages. The Administration needs to find the money. If not then the risks are what they are. Like I said before if this contract and use of Cause was so bullet clad why have a process in the first place. Why entertain any settlement if his actions were so aggregiois and beyond the pale? Why dismiss the snake GM comments as hearsay? Why let it even get to this point? Why extend his contract? Why not fire him after the defections? We all know why. The contract wording and money the lack thereof.

Again look at how the University of Texas handled Charlie Strong which was very sensitive. That was the playbook.

The defections were all his fault though so don’t gimme that.

 

[DMIL]

Thank you for a respectful and respectable response to my question. You can see directly above how it landed for a sample of those who don't share the final paragraphs of your argunent.

I would offer that an equally legitimate framing of the situation is that 2017-18 constituted KO's year to right the ship, and that whatever purported 'trial baloon' AD Benedict floated as the season ended constituted the opportunity for the gentle exit. All else is in the nature of battle moves that I continue to hope ends in settlement

Sure no argument from me. I think we both agree that the best course is a pathway to a settlement.

 

[DMIL]

"... right the ship ..."?
After the departed's last few years, it's dubious at best to think he could have put 1 toe in a dinghy.

Who knows man....with contenders in the conference weaker, a healthy Gilbert, incoming recruits, battle tested underclassmen, Sid Wilson a couple descent grad transfers and a returning Jalen Adams it is foreseeable that this group would win an additional 5 games minimum than in the prior year. I think the floor was at least 21 games and the ceiling probably a top 2 to 3 in conference including competing for the regular season and conference tournament title with an NCAA birth and 24 to 25. Remember...there were 4 to 5 games last year that UCONN every opportunity to win and didn’t. Blame coaching, youth, inexperience it doesn’t matter. The team under performed for a lot of reasons meaning they weren’t as bad as their record suggested. To your point...who was willing to take that chance and here we are.

 

[UCDaveD]

FWIW, one of the more credible posters on this board says an offer was tendered.

The lastest I heard is that the university made what they feel was a very fair settlement offer to KO in the last 2 weeks. He believes he can do better in court. The university is not willing to go above the number. So that is where we are at.

FWIW, the attorneys on the university side don't think they can lose in court. Not with the contract language and Ollie lieing to university officials about possible violations.

 

[DMIL]

The defections were all his fault though so don’t gimme that.

I acknowledged that in my post...no disagreement there.

 

[DMIL]

that's an awful lot of excuses.

Excuse for what? K.O. has a valid perspective and so does the Administration. This issue is using “Cause” for the termination of K.O. contract and now we are where we are. It’s a place we shouldn’t be but we are unfortunately.

 

[whaler11]

FWIW, one of the more credible posters on this board says an offer was tendered.

So no number and offered long after he was fired. Okey dokey.

 

[mauconnfan]

I don't think KO is ungrateful nor do I think he is a bad guy. He is a good guy who was a bad coach the last few years. This is just posturing by KO's lawyers in an attempt to get him as much of the money remaining on his contract as they can. It is all about money and the rest is white noise.
Once the lawyers are stop posturing this situation will be settled and UConn will pay too much in their opinion and KO won't get enough in his opinion similar to alimony agreements.

“..white noise..” Really? Speaking of racism

 

[intlzncster]

No one is skipping over that point. You conveniently skip over the fact you dismiss K.O. for performance not “Cause”. Find the money and settle quietly. Charlie Strong and the University of Texas is the playbook.

You can't compare UCONN basketball to Texas football in terms of funding and/or boosters. UT football probably has a number of people who, individually, give more than the entire UCONN MBB booster combined pot.

 

[Chief00]

The one problem with your premise is...He was a key assistant on a team getting ready for probation. He was not hired, he was given a one year term at under 1 mill per year(I could look it up, but I want to say 600K, which was woefully underpaid for UConn). So there's that.

LOL - usually a team getting ready for sanctions doesn’t hire an assistant as interim head coach (aka really head coach). They would usually go external away from the scandal taint. That just shows what a sweetheart deal KO got. And that $600k was three times what he made as an assistant. I too was for giving KO that special chance - but no question it was very unusual - and put KO above any potential competitor - they would probably say unfairly. Ask Glen Miller, he still seems bitter about that.

 

[DMIL]

You can't compare UCONN basketball to Texas football in terms of funding and/or boosters. UT football probably has a number of people who, individually, give more than the entire UCONN MBB booster combined pot.

It’s not a comparison however if the Administration makes the move that it did regarding terminating K.O.s contract then that is the playbook. The elephant in the room is that UCONN doesn’t have the $10M so it utilized “Cause”. They may have some of it but not all of it. This is the reason for the blow back. It smells, it stinks. It’s a tough deal all around the board. If you are not prepared to pay a contract that is offered and accepted then don’t offer the contract. Simple. University of Texas did what it had to do and like I stated before eventually did not have to cover the entire buyout amount because Charlie immediately got a job. That is how it’s supposed to work. You can even take Dwayne Casey when he was coaching the Toronto Raptors. He gets the number 1 seed in the playoffs and gets ousted. They terminate his contract, buy him out and he immediately gets a head coaching job with the Detroit Pistons. This is big boy Athletics so you gotta think about these contracts and worse case scenario.

If UCONN has a money problem then it is up to the leaders of the state and the AD to fix. That is why they are in those positions. This is big boy Athletics.

 

[Chief00]

It’s not a comparison however if the Administration makes the move that it did regarding terminating K.O.s contract then that is the playbook. The elephant in the room is that UCONN doesn’t have the $10M so it utilized “Cause”. They may have some of it but not all of it. This is the reason for the blow back. It smells, it stinks. It’s a tough deal all around the board. If you are not prepared to pay a contract that is offered and accepted then don’t offer the contract. Simple. University of Texas did what it had to do and like I stated before eventually did not have to cover the entire buyout amount because Charlie immediately got a job. That is how it’s supposed to work. You can even take Dwayne Casey when he was coaching the Toronto Raptors. He gets the number 1 seed in the playoffs and gets ousted. They terminate his contract, buy him out and he immediately gets a head coaching job with the Detroit Pistons. This is big boy Athletics so you gotta think about these contracts and worse case scenario.

I agree you shouldn’t have buyouts you can’t afford.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

You can't compare UCONN basketball to Texas football in terms of funding and/or boosters. UT football probably has a number of people who, individually, give more than the entire UCONN MBB booster combined pot.

Plus, oil, black gold, Texas T right on UT's campus and other UT-owned properties versus not many petro dollars generated by Connecticut shale oil in the Land of Steady Habits