Ollie, Auriemma and Diaco contracts

[SAMCRO]

I'm sure it was WM and SH's idea to add that clause to the contract, not Ollie's agents.

The same people bashing the clause would be the first ones to fire up torches and hand out pitch forks to demolish WM's house if the deal didn't get signed and they found out the reason was b/c WM would not add that clause to the deal.

 

[whaler11]

You make a valid attempt at justifying your position and then in closing make just as dumb of a point as the original arguement. What the hell does living there have to do with anything?

Because if you aren't a resident of Connecticut what do you care how corrupt and mismanaged the state government is.

 

[whaler11]

I'm sure it was WM and SH's idea to add that clause to the contract, not Ollie's agents.

The same people bashing the clause would be the first ones to fire up torches and hand out pitch forks to demolish WM's house if the deal didn't get signed and they found out the reason was b/c WM would not add that clause to the deal.

What a happy coincidence for Warde! Just like when he gets to spend money with search firms that will someday recommend him for other jobs that he can later use as leverage against the university that paid for the search firms.

 

[itgoeslike]

Because if you aren't a resident of Connecticut what do you care how corrupt and mismanaged the state government is.

I live in Florida so what you're drawing attention to wouldn't begin to move the needle on our corruption meter.

 

[itgoeslike]

What a happy coincidence for Warde! Just like when he gets to spend money with search firms that will someday recommend him for other jobs that he can later use as leverage against the university that paid for the search firms.

If you have evidence that WM and SH were the authors of this language, then you might have a case. I just don't think it went down that way. In addition, you would likely have to get UConn's legal team and trustees on board with the scheme you are suggesting.

KO could be coaching in the NBA this year if he so desired. He's got juice and momentum today. Who knows what leverage he will have three or four years from now, so he structured the deal to his advantage under a number of scenarios that could come to pass. I would do the same.

I'm just glad the deal got done.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Only you can create a Strawman when discussing an iron clad legally binding contract.

You need to stop blaming me every time you can't keep up in a thread. It's not my fault.

 

[WestHartHusk]

I am pretty sure that school contracts need to be approved by the AG's office.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

If you have evidence that WM and SH were the authors of this language, then you might have a case. I just don't think it went down that way. In addition, you would likely have to get UConn's legal team and trustees on board with the scheme you are suggesting.

KO could be coaching in the NBA this year if he so desired. He's got juice and momentum today. Who knows what leverage he will have three or four years from now, so he structured the deal to his advantage under a number of scenarios that could come to pass. I would do the same.

I'm just glad the deal got done.

It doesn't matter who is the author of the language, it creates a conflict of interest, which Warde is smart enough to see. Ollie was not going to walk away over this clause, and Warde should not have allowed it to be put in the contract.

 

[whaler11]

If you have evidence that WM and SH were the authors of this language, then you might have a case. I just don't think it went down that way. In addition, you would likely have to get UConn's legal team and trustees on board with the scheme you are suggesting.

KO could be coaching in the NBA this year if he so desired. He's got juice and momentum today. Who knows what leverage he will have three or four years from now, so he structured the deal to his advantage under a number of scenarios that could come to pass. I would do the same.

I'm just glad the deal got done.

Dude it doesn't matter who the author was.

 

[whaler11]

It doesn't matter who is the author of the language, it creates a conflict of interest, which Warde is smart enough to see. Ollie was not going to walk away over this clause, and Warde should not have allowed it to be put in the contract.

The state shouldn't allow this type of language to even exist.

 

[Jerry27]

Because if you aren't a resident of Connecticut what do you care how corrupt and mismanaged the state government is.

I lived in CT for 30 years, just because I don't now doesn't mean jack, and corruption is not exclusive to CT. You're taking a rather large leap to imply corruption for a coaches out clause. I and others care because it involves the school and athletic department and teams we choose to root for, so yes it does concern us regardless of where we currently live.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

The state shouldn't allow this type of language to even exist.

You might want to reconsider your position when it's you and Nelson vs the rest of the Boneyard.

 

[itgoeslike]

The state shouldn't allow this type of language to even exist.

That's my point. The person(s) who ultimately approved the agreement are accountable.

 

[itgoeslike]

Dude it doesn't matter who the author was.

Yes it can.

 

[Kolumbo]

I don't really have any interest in the contract or the ensuing discussion. It's done, and that is all that matters.

 

[Jerry27]

I don't really have any interest in the contract or the ensuing discussion. It's done, and that is all that matters.

Precisely, and we get the coach we wanted locked in and yet people, you two know who you are, will still find cause to complain. Damned if you do damned if you don't I guess.

 

[itgoeslike]

It doesn't matter who is the author of the language, it creates a conflict of interest, which Warde is smart enough to see. Ollie was not going to walk away over this clause, and Warde should not have allowed it to be put in the contract.

KO was holding virtually all of the cards. UConn's only leverage was KO's love for UConn and his public commitment to his players.

 

[Pudge]

I think that the contract, certainly of a certain dollar amount, must be approved by the CT Attorney General. That certainly is true of most all CT leases. Most all building contracts. etc etc

 

[Jerry27]

It doesn't matter who is the author of the language, it creates a conflict of interest, which Warde is smart enough to see. Ollie was not going to walk away over this clause, and Warde should not have allowed it to be put in the contract.

So which is it;
- Ward was to smart enough to see it
or
- Dumb because he knew KO wasn't gonna walk but agreed to a clause that would allow him to do just that

 

[noeynox]

It doesn't matter who is the author of the language, it creates a conflict of interest, which Warde is smart enough to see. Ollie was not going to walk away over this clause, and Warde should not have allowed it to be put in the contract.

I don't like that clause in the contract, but you make statements like the above that you cannot possibly know the answer to, and it makes the rest of whay you are saying less credible. For all we know Ollie, Herbst, Warde, Diaco, and Geno all entered into a spit brothers contract that none would leave while UConn is outside the P5 looking in. Ollie absolutely could have pursued NBA jobs more vigourously.

 

[UConn9604]

Even if anyone had shown that such a "conflict" exists, it's pretty much a moot point -- Kevin Ollie is not going to coach at another school, period. If he leaves UConn, it will be for the NBA.

So, unless you can demonstrate that Warde really, really wants to be an NBA GM one day, or that Susan really, really wants to own an NBA team, any such conflict that may be identified is a red herring, and this argument is about as relevant as arguing over who will be the better Homecoming opponent, East Carolina or Tulane.

 

[whaler11]

Even if anyone had shown that such a "conflict" exists, it's pretty much a moot point -- Kevin Ollie is not going to coach at another school, period. If he leaves UConn, it will be for the NBA.

So, unless you can demonstrate that Warde really, really wants to be an NBA GM one day, or that Susan really, really wants to own an NBA team, any such conflict that may be identified is a red herring, and this argument is about as relevant as arguing over who will be the better Homecoming opponent, East Carolina or Tulane.

Honestly you don't get it: There is blatent conflict of interest. Your bizarre tangent about SB or WM working in the NBA makes no sense at all.

I fully support Ollie getting what he could in the negotiation. I did not support Warde gaining leverage through an employee who is clearly more valuable than he.

That someone higher in the food chain signed off doesn't much matter - it's still a conflict of interest.

Do you get that conflicts of interest are about perception? That in this case Manuel furthered his own position through Ollie's contract. That Ollie and Manuel are tight, members of the same country club and spend a good amount of time there together?

So my disgust should be with whoever signed off? Sorry mine is with everyone - the people on the UConn end who wrote it, and whoever in the state signs off on it.

Is there a 95% chance it never matters? Yep.

How about if Manuel shows up with an offer from Wake Forest next week and wants to reopen his deal?

How about if Tuesday solid evidence arrives that Manuel was responsible for UConn missing out on an ACC invite?

How about any number of personal or professional misdeeds that would put Manuel's further employment in question.

You want to consider the financial impact of Kevin Ollie's buyout when determining Manuel's continued employment or contract - or do you want to consider Warde's performance?

 

[whaler11]

Yes it can.

No it doesn't. It really doesn't. That's what a frigging conflict of interest is. So Warde can get whatever in Ollie's contract as long as Ollie's people insist? Hey we wrote in a 100k bonus for Warde every year Ollie stays - doesn't matter - Ollie was the one who demanded it.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I agree with whaler and Nelson here if my understanding below is correct:

P5 school offers WM $600K/year (he makes around $500K/year here).

WM goes back to UConn and demands $750Ka year and UConn has to either pay up or risk WM leaving and having KO's contract opened up in a year after WM leaves?

If that is the case, then I'm totally with Nelson and whaler.

 

[itgoeslike]

No it doesn't. It really doesn't. That's what a frigging conflict of interest is. So Warde can get whatever in Ollie's contract as long as Ollie's people insist? Hey we wrote in a 100k bonus for Warde every year Ollie stays - doesn't matter - Ollie was the one who demanded it.

I am correct in saying that it can matter if WM pushed for the inclusion of this clause.

Now, with regard to the clause, if a CEO brings in a top salesman or a managing partner of a law firm bring in an equity partner (along with their book of business), it's not unreasonable to make the relationship contingent upon company structure and leadership. It's a negotiation. If a company or firm really thinks the add is critical the board can choose to assume that risk.

Again, as I stated earlier, my preference is not to see that clause in the contract, because it disadvantages UConn. I'm just not sure what you're suggesting regarding corruption is as cut and dry as you perceive it to be, especially based on the information you've been presented with.

I'm done beating this horse. On to the next. . .

 

[whaler11]

I am correct in saying that it can matter if WM pushed for the inclusion of this clause.

Now, with regard to the clause, if a CEO brings in a top salesman or a managing partner of a law firm bring in an equity partner (along with their book of business), it's not unreasonable to make the relationship contingent upon company structure and leadership. It's a negotiation. If a company or firm really thinks the add is critical the board can choose to assume that risk.

Again, as I stated earlier, my preference is not to see that clause in the contract, because it disadvantages UConn. I'm just not sure what you're suggesting regarding corruption is as cut and dry as you perceive it to be, especially based on the information you've been presented with.

I'm done beating this horse. On to the next. . .

Private enterprise has nothing to do with a state government. So you can stop bringing it up.

In your examples people would have non-compete agreements that would make it impossible to leverage anyway.

 

[UConn9604]

This may be something (I don't think it is) but one thing it isn't is a conflict of interest. Sorry.

TITLE 1 PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION ; CHAPTER 10 CODES OF ETHICS; PART I CODE OF ETHICS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS
§ 1-85. (Formerly Sec. 1-68). Interest in conflict with discharge of duties.
A public official, including an elected state official, or state employee has an interest which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his duties or employment in the public interest and of his responsibilities as prescribed in the laws of this state, if he has reason to believe or expect that he, his spouse, a dependent child, or a business with which he is associated will derive a direct monetary gain or suffer a direct monetary loss, as the case may be, by reason of his official activity. A public official, including an elected state official, or state employee does not have an interest which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his duties in the public interest and of his responsibilities as prescribed by the laws of this state, if any benefit or detriment accrues to him, his spouse, a dependent child, or a business with which he, his spouse or such dependent child is associated as a member of a profession, occupation or group to no greater extent than any other member of such profession, occupation or group. A public official, including an elected state official or state employee who has a substantial conflict may not take official action on the matter.

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2011/pub/chap010.htm#Sec1-85.htm

Honestly you don't get it: There is blatent conflict of interest. Your bizarre tangent about SB or WM working in the NBA makes no sense at all.

I fully support Ollie getting what he could in the negotiation. I did not support Warde gaining leverage through an employee who is clearly more valuable than he.

That someone higher in the food chain signed off doesn't much matter - it's still a conflict of interest.

Do you get that conflicts of interest are about perception? That in this case Manuel furthered his own position through Ollie's contract. That Ollie and Manuel are tight, members of the same country club and spend a good amount of time there together?

So my disgust should be with whoever signed off? Sorry mine is with everyone - the people on the UConn end who wrote it, and whoever in the state signs off on it.

Is there a 95% chance it never matters? Yep.

How about if Manuel shows up with an offer from Wake Forest next week and wants to reopen his deal?

How about if Tuesday solid evidence arrives that Manuel was responsible for UConn missing out on an ACC invite?

How about any number of personal or professional misdeeds that would put Manuel's further employment in question.

You want to consider the financial impact of Kevin Ollie's buyout when determining Manuel's continued employment or contract - or do you want to consider Warde's performance?

 

[husky8273]

I didn't see the contract, just a blurb written in an online article. Is it WM that approves these contracts in a vacuum? Or is it the BOT? That could be an important bit of information.

See full copy of the contract at http://snycollege.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/ollie_contract_5-22-14.pdf

 

[RedStickHusky]

I agree that there's an appearance of impropriety in an AD submitting a contract for another employee that provides a disincentive for the university to terminate said AD. Whether that is illegal or improper should be within the AG's purview to determine.

What concerns me more about the inclusion of this clause though is the suggestion that KO is worried about WM leaving. Maybe, as suggested earlier, it's protection against another Hathaway coming on board but, at this point, you have to think that WM is not mission complete until he gets us into a P5.

 

[Fishy]

Ollie - "I want this clause."

Warde - "No."

Ollie - "I just won the NCAA title, am the wet dream of every NBA GM and I hold in my hands the frayed nerves of your entire fan base. Want them to read another NBA rumor in the morning?"

Warde - "Oh, that clause...sure, let's throw it on in there."