New court filings name former UConn standouts Rodney Purvis, Sterling Gibbs, Terry Larrier in Kevin Ollie case

[Madmannsucks]

Vastly improved from being irrelevant after coming in as a promising 4 star recruit. Ollie deserves all credit. Is Facey even playing professional basketball anymore?

Because no coach has recruited 4 star and 5's who never panned out. He was a starter in his senior year.

 

[Madmannsucks]

Vastly improved from being irrelevant after coming in as a promising 4 star recruit. Ollie deserves all credit. Is Facey even playing professional basketball anymore?

I know he was playing last year.

 

[UofCT]

Because no coach has recruited 4 star and 5's who never panned out. He was a starter in his senior year.

Calhoun started the Facey recruitment & I agree with you that Ollie deserves 100% of the credit for what Facey became.

 

[Madmannsucks]

Calhoun started the Facey recruitment & I agree with you that Ollie deserves 100% of the credit for what Facey became.

As a KO supporter there are plenty of valid reasons for his firings, this just does not happen to be one.
This is anecdotal at best. How many players did JC bring in who were highly touted and turned out to be overhyped.
Wasn't Hazleton a top recruit?

 

[Padutch5]

Absolutely not...big difference between what cleaning up a mess and changing the culture around a program and getting your players to come to UConn. Ollie who as a coach had stopped trying to develop his players and was struggling to be engaged on the recruiting trail. I mean look at the leap Carlton took under Hurley this year, I am not saying his leap would have been huge his freshman year but he was basically the same player on Day 1 as he was after the SMU game last year.

And while it was just rumors, there were substantial rumors about a number of players ready to jump ship under Ollie. Of more import, even to a casual observer, the improvement of the team play under Hurley in general was significant. I wonder if we will ever know what happened to the masterful Ollie that outcoached some big name coaches to win a national title who transitioned to a coach who couldn’t recruit and seemed to lose his team on the floor.

 

[UofCT]

As a KO supporter there are plenty of valid reasons for his firings, this just does not happen to be one.
This is anecdotal at best. How many players did JC bring in who were highly touted and turned out to be overhyped.
Wasn't Hazleton a top recruit?

Not going to compare to JC to Ollie. Under Ollies leadership we received the following

Players to Transfer: 6 out of 16 (Can't count 2017 class because Ollie got fired before anyone could transfer)
Players to go to NBA: 1
Players to improve: 3 (Nolan, Facey & Hamilton)
Players to get worse: 2 (Purvis & Brimah)
Players in NBA: 0

2012: Calhouns Recruits
Calhoun - Never improved under Ollie, also hurt
Nolan - Improved, I guess
2013:
Brimah - Never Improved
Samuels - Transferred
Facey - Improved
2014:
Lubin - Transferred
Cassell Jr - Transferred
Hamilton - Improved
2015:
Enoch - Transferred
Adams - Good Recruit
Purvis - Good transfer, never improved
2016:
Jackson - Transferred
Durham - Transferred
Gilbert - Injured
Diarra - Injured
Vital - Solid Recruit
2017:
Polley - Improved under Hurley
Wilson - Never played for Ollie
Carlton - Improved under Hurley
Williams - Never played for Ollie
Whaley - Never played for Ollie
Cobb - Never played for Ollie
Larrier - Good transfer, never improved, also hurt

 

[intlzncster]

As a KO supporter there are plenty of valid reasons for his firings, this just does not happen to be one.
This is anecdotal at best. How many players did JC bring in who were highly touted and turned out to be overhyped.
Wasn't Hazleton a top recruit?

I mean, player development was one of the top reasons I was ready to move on.

Not everyone pans out, true. Some guys are over-hyped*. But guys were just not getting better at an appreciable rate. The guys who left did so because they were not developing, and there wasn't a quality plan in place to do so. Even mentioned in the media.

Now you could argue it's recruiting the wrong guys that got KO fired. But a number of players should have improved much more significantly than they did.

*Hazleton was overrated coming in, as a number of posters were aware of at the time. He got into the AA game based on politics alone. You can see that by how he ended up at URI. Got no real high major offers.

I personally do not think Facey was one of those guys. He had all the tools to be far better than he was. Not 1st team All conference, but a much more effective player than he ever became.

 

[Madmannsucks]

I mean, player development was one of the top reasons I was ready to move on.

Not everyone pans out, true. Some guys are over-hyped*. But guys were just not getting better at an appreciable rate. The guys who left did so because they were not developing, and there wasn't a quality plan in place to do so. Even mentioned in the media.

Now you could argue it's recruiting the wrong guys that got KO fired. But a number of players should have improved much more significantly than they did.

*Hazleton was overrated coming in, as a number of posters were aware of at the time. He got into the AA game based on politics alone. You can see that by how he ended up at URI. Got no real high major offers.

I personally do not think Facey was one of those guys. He had all the tools to be far better than he was. Not 1st team All conference, but a much more effective player than he ever became.

Actually I think my point was missed. I agree about player development. With him it was hit or miss with to many misses. I responding to the specific poster who for every success gave a rebuttal that to me just did not hold water.

 

[intlzncster]

Actually I think my point was missed. I agree about player development. With him it was hit or miss with to many misses. I responding to the specific poster who for every success gave a rebuttal that to me just did not hold water.

Ahh gotcha. For the record, I bear KO no ill will. But I'm happy he was let go, for a number of reasons.

I also understand why both the school and KO are taking their respective tacks. I don't necessarily agree with his and his counsel's approach though, as I'm not sure it benefits him in the long run as much as a different one could have. jmo tho

 

[Whtdmd]

Don’t get me going on the APR nonsense!

APR could be a problem this yr. Heard from someone in academics that one scholarship player already drop out and is out of CT. Another 1-2 are having a hard time keeping up. For sake of UCONN and its future, I hope that is not true

 

[Whtdmd]

Why do you waste your time trying to convince us you care about UConn (learn how to spell it, by the way)?

This is very seriou BTW. One player is already full fail. If JA or CV decide to go pro and skip the rest of the yr. UCONN is in deep doodoo. BTW, they r not the players that r having academic problems

 

[pj]

This is very seriou BTW. One player is already full fail. If JA or CV decide to go pro and skip the rest of the yr. UCONN is in deep doodoo. BTW, they r not the players that r having academic problems

UConn like other D1 schools has implemented a system whereby players get enough credits in summer session, fall, and intersession classes to maintain good standing for APR purposes even if they fail out of spring classes. This protects the university from players who leave mid-semester to turn pro or who quit caring about academics once basketball is over.

So it's unlikely that the scenario you are mapping out will take place.

 

[CL82]

I am my own man FYI. I have one handle

Wait you are guy? Why is your handle (or at least this one) Alexa?

 

[DMIL]

The school extended an enforceable contract. KO accepted. But both parties have to adhere to it. Unfortunately, KO didn't. That's how contracts work.



Firstly, Vitriol probably extends from KO running the ship aground.

That said, you've no idea if this was preventable. You have no idea if there was a settlement offer and/if KO was willing to take it or not. As far as I know, no one does.



Hell no. Do we care more about the program or more about KO? I care mostly about the former myself. And KO did a lot of damage to the former.

Now I wish KO well, but the program is more important to me. If what we see playing out in public is the price to be paid, then so be it. The program is in a better spot today than it was a year ago. And I'm good with that.

I’m not saying that UCONN did not do what it felt it had to do. I think in their minds they had no choice. Who knows if $5M would have gotten this done or a little more than that. Clearly he wasn’t agreeable to whatever offer was floated out to his team and I’m sure it wasn’t close to $5M.

My issue is simple. This is not all on Kevin Ollie. That’s all I’m saying. There were a lot more contributors to this. That is a fact so when fellow Huskies and crew character assasinate this guy is over the top. I certainly understand where it’s coming from but it’s over the top. I’d also like to see them do that with everyone else responsible the downward spiral of the program. We can let “Bad luck” off the hook.

UCONN got their guy, we have our guy Mr. Dan Hurley. The character assasination of Kevin Ollie should stop. UCONN implemented their nuclear option and so did Ollie thereafter. Both parties are doing what they feel they need to do. I’m not sure why this is so hard to understand. A bunch of folks are angry that this guy won’t simply roll over and disappear. We know he is not the kind of guy that is going to rollover without a fight to the very end. That is who he is we all know this.

It’s fine to be mad but you can’t get mad at a guy that is fighting fire with fire.

 

[intlzncster]

I’m not saying that UCONN did not do what it felt it had to do. I think in their minds they had no choice. Who knows if $5M would have gotten this done or a little more than that. Clearly he wasn’t agreeable to whatever offer was floated out to his team and I’m sure it wasn’t close to $5M.

My issue is simple. This is not all on Kevin Ollie. That’s all I’m saying. There were a lot more contributors to this. That is a fact so when fellow Huskies and crew character assasinate this guy is over the top. I certainly understand where it’s coming from but it’s over the top. I’d also like to see them do that with everyone else responsible the downward spiral of the program. We can let “Bad luck” off the hook.

UCONN got their guy, we have our guy Mr. Dan Hurley. The character assasination of Kevin Ollie should stop. UCONN implemented their nuclear option and so did Ollie thereafter. Both parties are doing what they feel they need to do. I’m not sure why this is so hard to understand. A bunch of folks are angry that this guy won’t simply roll over and disappear. We know he is not the kind of guy that is going to rollover without a fight to the very end. That is who he is we all know this.

It’s fine to be mad but you can’t get mad at a guy that is fighting fire with fire.

I'm not mad at him, I just don't think he's acting in his best interest, whether due to bad advice, or bad choice, idk. I think it hurts his long term employability. Rightly or wrongly, you are always playing with fire when you go after a former employer. Potential future employers look at that and immediately think "that could be us".

I don't know how it all went down either. Myself, I'd be tempted to settle and spin it as injuries lost me that job. Any other school is gonna look right past those violations if they are interested in him. No idea what the level of interest would be of course.

 

[Madmannsucks]

Wait you are guy? Why is your handle (or at least this one) Alexa?

I just assumed Alexa was female, or maybe a Russian tennis pro?

 

[CL82]

Why is your handle CL82?

Because CL 1 through 81 were taken.

 

[intlzncster]

The most accurate thing you said is that you don’t know how it all went down. Everyone is speculating. Do we even know if KO has any interest in coaching college basketball again?

Who knows? But it's not a good look for any future coaching opportunities, college or pro.

If he doesn't want to coach again, that's another story.

 

[UConnDan97]

Because CL 1 through 81 were taken.

Tell me about it. UConnDan96 was a real jerk...

 

[UofCT]

If the APR is nonsense then you agree that these are professional athletes and not students and should be compensated accordingly based on the revenue they bring in.

Huh

 

[Whtdmd]

UConn like other D1 schools has implemented a system whereby players get enough credits in summer session, fall, and intersession classes to maintain good standing for APR purposes even if they fail out of spring classes. This protects the university from players who leave mid-semester to turn pro or who quit caring about academics once basketball is over.

So it's unlikely that the scenario you are mapping out will take place.

yes and no. Could be trouble ahead if they dont come back

 

[intlzncster]

What is not a good look?
Whats not a good look? Him asking for his salary if he feels that UConn and a an alleged disgruntled fired assistant coach came together to have him fired without pay? Is it not a good look not to roll over for something like this? Do you think if he wanted to coach in the NBA they care about the rules of the NCAA, a private governing body? I asked what’s not a good look?

It's not a good look to go scorched earth in a public forum. No shame in fight it, but Ollie's pulling out all stops.

NO future employer is going to look at that and be psyched about it. The first thing on their minds is, if we fire this guy, are we going to have a problem?

They're not going to look at it from KO's perspective, they are going to look at it from an employers perspective.

 

[intlzncster]

Alexa has the answers and is willing to do the research for truth.

Then why did you ignore the details vis a vis the APR fiasco, specifically with regards to UCONN? It's been rehashed a billion times, but retroactive, double jeopardy is nothing but a screwjob.

And really, looking at it from a top down perspective, the only thing UCONN was really guilty of was incompetence in reporting scores. Just do like 80% of other institutions and fudge the numbers.

 

[CL82]

It’s your opinion that he went scorched earth. I don’t see it that way. I see someone fighting for what he feels is injust. It’s hard for you to see it that way because you have an opinion of how you think things played out. There has not been Abdur process. There are allegations and he has a right to refute any allegations. That’s how the law works. You wanted him gone and I get it. I just think he feels the way things were handled differently for his predecessor who actually had due process. UConn was under the gun and their guy was headed to Pitt. Hasty moves had to be made. That’s clear but don’t think Ollie doesn’t deserve a rebuttle.

So what exactly do you feel happened or failed to happen to KO to create a due process issue. You keep using that phrase, you must have a reason for it.

 

[intlzncster]

It’s your opinion that he went scorched earth. I don’t see it that way. I see someone fighting for what he feels is injust. It’s hard for you to see it that way because you have an opinion of how you think things played out. There has not been Abdur process. There are allegations and he has a right to refute any allegations. That’s how the law works. You wanted him gone and I get it. I just think he feels the way things were handled differently for his predecessor who actually had due process. UConn was under the gun and their guy was headed to Pitt. Hasty moves had to be made. That’s clear but don’t think Ollie doesn’t deserve a rebuttle.

I'm removing emotion from it completely. I'm merely stating a natural organizational reaction to the proceedings.

Future employers would look at a few of the things they put forth in public, most specifically the 'different treatment for head coaches of different races', and be like, "no thanks". Don't want to chance that one, when you could easily hire someone equivalent over here.

As a tangential example, there's a reason why whistle blowers don't find new work easily in their respective professions. It's not the same situation, but it's a similar concept. Why take the risk? From an employer perspective, KO's not heads and tails above any other coach, so just go for the safe option.

You can argue against it based on your affection for Kevin Ollie, or your idea of right and wrong, but human nature dictates that people would be wary.

 

[minidarren]

Because CL 1 through 81 were taken.

Why not CL0?

 

[intlzncster]

Who is the whistle blower? Ollie?

There is no 'whistleblower'. I said the situation is not completely analogous. Twice. The concept is that, future employers look warily at employees who went after their old employers, even if completely justified in doing so.

Would you fight for your contractual rights if you were in Ollie’s shoes? Let’s all be real here. Upwards of 11m you would let go along with your good name all in one shot.

You seem to think future employers care about right and wrong. They don't. They care about PR and possible future exposure. In reality, a whistle blower should be given a medal, but future employers don't look at it that way.

Personally, I would have done everything in my power to settle, but that's neither here nor there. I would care about future income. But I'm pragmatic.

You all want him to go away. How can he go away, he has a degree from UConn. That will be with him forever. He is an alumn. I’m rational enough to remove my personal feelings from the situation and see things from his perspective.

This has nothing to do with what I think about Ollie or fighting for contractual rights. I think everyone would expect Ollie to fight in some regard, but only in a certain manner.

You haven't removed your personal feelings at all when considering future employment. Again, anyone who's gone against their company, in some of the ways that Ollie has, is going to 'untouchable' in a fashion. For example, fighting this battle through the media (ESPN) in the hopes of swaying public sentiment and thereby to put pressure on UCONN. No future employer would want that were they ever to fire said employee.

We all need a reality check here. I just think there is a lot more to this that will come out or Ollie would’ve disappeared a long time ago.

If Ollie's side had a better card to play, they would have played it. Most of their tactics smell of desperation at this point.

 

[intlzncster]

One could look at it as UConn pulling g out tactics of desperation. We don’t know what card Ollie is playing. None of us were at the mediation. Let’s just wait and see. What we think doesn’t matter anyway.

Got that right. It's legal theater for us.

 

[Madmannsucks]

Got that right. It's legal theater for us.

We may now have a precedent to see if your theory is correct. GA Tech women's coach. If I read correctly, the reason she was let go.

 

[Madmannsucks]

Got that right. It's legal theater for us.

Depending on the actual reason.
2 players have been out for personal reasons.

The coaches lawyer said this.
Joseph, a former Purdue standout as a player, is in her 16th season as head coach of the Yellow Jackets. Her attorney, Lisa Banks, said last week that Joseph has not been told the specifics of why she was put on leave, and called it an "act of retaliation" for Joseph, raising concerns about gender equity issues in the school's athletic department.