KO - Victim of discrimination and denied due process?

[Mokum]

Maybe Ollie, his entitled kids and his entitled ex need to learn how to live like the average family for a while. Live in a 2000 sq. ft. house, cook your own dinners, buy a Subaru Outback and go on vacation to Maine and that money can last a LONG time.

My feelings exactly. I have no sympathy for wealthy people who live high off the hog, and suddenly they don't have the millions they feel entitled to and are used to.

 

[Goat]

There have been other coaches who did not win at UConn. I sat at the games and suffered too. But, nobody sniffed around to find cause to fire Diaco or the others and it is highly likely that there was something as significant to find. Firing a losing coach I don't object to, but some here say KO is a loser so he deserves this. Firing maybe, but not for cause.

 

[superjohn]

There have been other coaches who did not win at UConn. I sat at the games and suffered too. But, nobody sniffed around to find cause to fire Diaco or the others and it is highly likely that there was something as significant to find. Firing a losing coach I don't object to, but some here say KO is a loser so he deserves this. Firing maybe, but not for cause.

Again, what part of his contract do you not understand?

 

[CL82]

There have been other coaches who did not win at UConn. I sat at the games and suffered too. But, nobody sniffed around to find cause to fire Diaco or the others and it is highly likely that there was something as significant to find. Firing a losing coach I don't object to, but some here say KO is a loser so he deserves this. Firing maybe, but not for cause.

Absolutely! Well except that the "just cause" is a defined term under the contract and Ollie has met the elements of it... but other than that spot on.

 

[Paesano]

There have been other coaches who did not win at UConn. I sat at the games and suffered too. But, nobody sniffed around to find cause to fire Diaco or the others and it is highly likely that there was something as significant to find. Firing a losing coach I don't object to, but some here say KO is a loser so he deserves this. Firing maybe, but not for cause.

How much was Diaco being paid and what was his buyout? And did he have a cause termination specified in his contract and did violate it?

 

[UConnNick]

There have been other coaches who did not win at UConn. I sat at the games and suffered too. But, nobody sniffed around to find cause to fire Diaco or the others and it is highly likely that there was something as significant to find. Firing a losing coach I don't object to, but some here say KO is a loser so he deserves this. Firing maybe, but not for cause.

If Diaco was an NCAA cheater, he sucked at it way worse than Ollie did, considering two of his three teams were way worse than any of Ollie's teams.

 

[CL82]

If Diaco was an NCAA cheater, he sucked at it way worse than Ollie did, considering two of his three teams were way worse than any of Ollie's teams.

Sort of different facts. There was an ongoing NCAA investigation of Ollie at the time of the termination, not doing utilizing the just cause language would have been grounds for someone losing their job, in my opinion.

 

[Rico444]

I just want this to end. The homers on both sides of the coin are out of control and it's driving me crazy reading their rationalizations.

 

[uconndogs]

Wait, let me get this right... you tried to warn KO in person regarding GM’s plan? How about the time/year and general location for us (and on the Boneyard and claiming the “gag order” won’t cut it).

No it's completely legit. Whenever Chief posts in the third person I am totally convinced of his credibility.

 

[Chief00]

Absolutely! Well except that the "just cause" is a defined term under the contract and Ollie has met the elements of it... but other than that spot on.

Ok - Chief will make the the offer to be mediator between Benedict and KO. No one else in the room. We will agree within an hour - then have drinks.

 

[DMIL]

Sort of different facts. There was an ongoing NCAA investigation of Ollie at the time of the termination, not doing utilizing the just cause language would have been grounds for someone losing their job, in my opinion.

An investigation more than likely initiated by GM and any other conspirators in secret.

 

[DMIL]

Ok - Chief will make the the offer to be mediator between Benedict and KO. No one else in the room. We will agree within an hour - then have drinks.

Let’s make that happen Chief!

 

[Chief00]

Let’s make that happen Chief!

They need to suspend their legal representatives - then we can get it done.

 

[UCDaveD]

I have yet to hear a single argument in favor of Kevin Ollie receiving the $10M that couldn’t be torn apart by the average 1L student.

 

[Huskybass]

I have yet to hear a single argument in favor of Kevin Ollie receiving the $10M that couldn’t be torn apart by the average 1L student.

A coherent, bright 8th grader could succesfully demonstrate that "cause" has been met. The converse is impossible though.

 

[champs99and04]

Race has absolutely played a role in our reaction to everything that's happened.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Race has absolutely played a role in our reaction to everything that's happened.

Oh please. That's so tired and ridiculous.

Edit: if you want to look for an external factor, look at conference realignment. If UConn was awash in Big Ten money, maybe the notion of paying millions to an under-performing former player turned coach would be more well received. Instead, we are struggling to fund the department. As a fan, I don't want them to spend a dime (intentional reference) that they don't have to. To anyone. For anything. It wouldn't matter if that failed coach was Pikiell or Ollie.

 

[temery]

Oh please. That's so tired and ridiculous.

Edit: if you want to look for an external factor, look at conference realignment. If UConn was awash in Big Ten money, maybe the notion of paying millions to an under-performing former player turned coach would be more well received. Instead, we are struggling to fund the department. As a fan, I don't want them to spend a dime (intentional reference) that they don't have to. To anyone. For anything. It wouldn't matter if that failed coach was Pikiell or Ollie.

UConn was "awash in Big East money" in its prime, yet retained Calhoun even after a bad season or two.

I'm not saying he was fired because he's black, but Calhoun had bad seasons, and he was retained without question.

I believe a new coach was needed, and Ollie could be as successful elsewhere, if given a fresh start. I also believe Ollie is owed every penny of the contract signed by the university.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I have yet to hear a single argument in favor of Kevin Ollie receiving the $10M that couldn’t be torn apart by the average 1L student.

Here, the "reasonable standard of care" will suffice. The *average* leaves fully 50% unqualified. But remember, those same 1Ls learn that "Arbitration" shares the same linguistic roots as "arbitrary," so no legal decision either way is guaranteed.

 

[CL82]

I believe a new coach was needed. I also believe Ollie is owed every penny of the contract signed by the university.

Me too, since he's owed nothing under the contract but I'm guessing that's not what you mean.

Tom can you explain what your reasoning is? Here's the contract language:

Given what we now know, it seems pretty clear that Ollie isn't "owed" that money. There is no de minimus exception. And in any event, paying for the hotel rooms, food and transportation to Atlanta, is pretty significant. It typically is avoided by Ollie's defenders who like to focus on the Ray Allen call or the shooting hoops.

 

[Huskymagic]

KO’s work ethic stood out to me. I have told the story how I encountered KO with Patrick Knight on more than one occasion, doing an early morning weekend workout during his CT Pride days.
I really think managing a program was a different skill set and one he did not enjoy or quite frankly had a clue about and therefore he kind of disengaged.

As for Miller, KO was tone deaf at first and naive - Miller really put the knife in his back. Chief tried to warn him and only after it was too late did he realize he had a rat on his hands.

Chief you've been highly concerned and working overdrive to convince people that Miller was a Benedict Arnold the entire time, and convincing us that Ollie should be payed the buyout money because he's a good guy.

Ollie should be thanking Calhoun and UCONN for making him tens of millions over his career.

PS: It came to this from UCONN's side because Ollie would not leave voluntarily and wouldn't cooperate with the university. That's typically what happens everywhere in life when you don't cooperate with your employer. Don't feel sorry for Ollie: he's good. He never has to work a day in his life again.

 

[superjohn]

Race has absolutely played a role in our reaction to everything that's happened.

You've got issues.

 

[superjohn]

UConn was "awash in Big East money" in its prime, yet retained Calhoun even after a bad season or two.

I'm not saying he was fired because he's black, but Calhoun had bad seasons, and he was retained without question.

I believe a new coach was needed, and Ollie could be as successful elsewhere, if given a fresh start. I also believe Ollie is owed every penny of the contract signed by the university.

I know very little.

You should have just left it at this.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Oh please. That's so tired and ridiculous.

If you're in a position to label the notion of race "tired and ridiculous," offer up some prayers of thanks. Doesn't even matter who you send them to. The universe could always use a touch more humble appreciation.

I can't locate the case to support a $10 million obligation, but I continue to believe there is ample basis for legal settlement prior to an arbitrator's award or a judge's decision. And I further believe that both parties should be motivated to pursue this path without delay.

Is today the close of the 15 day period within which KO can chose arbitration? Is it calendar days, business days, or what?

 

[temery]

Me too, since he's owed nothing under the contract but I'm guessing that's not what you mean.

Tom can you explain what your reasoning is? Here's the contract language:
View attachment 32704
Given what we now know, it seems pretty clear that Ollie isn't "owed" that money. There is no de minimus exception. And in any event, paying for the hotel rooms, food and transportation to Atlanta, is pretty significant. It typically is avoided by Ollie's defenders who like to focus on the Ray Allen call or the shooting hoops.

Many years ago I mistakingly attended a workshop for school administrators. All presenters were lawyers, with administrators in the chairs.

I stayed to hear what they had to say, mostly because I wasn't supposed to be there.

A common theme was, "be consistent when enforcing rules and regulations. Failure to do so will likely result in legal action, and you'll lose."

No university would look favorably when put under a microscope. My guess is UConn will not only settle, the NCAA will make it worth their time in doing do.