Ollie Officially Fired

[Blaneylover]

Here comes the media assault


Seth Davis on Twitter

Mr. Davis, who annoys the crap out of you most of the time, probably is not wrong here. This, to me, appears to be the byproduct of the two sides not being able to negotiate a settlement short of the 10 million. Now, the University will hope that this move gets Kevin Ollie to the table to resolve the situation so all parties can "move on" from this relationship. We shall see.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I'm fine with Ollie fighting for his money. It's understandable. A lawsuit would also give us more color on what really went down which i think we all are dying to know.

Yes, but is Kevin dying to have us know?

There is no way Benedict does this unless He couldn’t reach a deal with Ollie. Now it’s a poker game. Kevin hasn’t to sue the university to get his money. The university will put forth causes, whether the NCAA violations (even if minor) or other person conduct related issues. Kevin will have to decide if he wants his dirty laundry aired in public. If not, he’s going to have to try to settle.

I would be surprised if Kevin gets the majority of his remaining contract. He’s young, and preserving his reputation and career prospects should be very important to him still.

 

[metsfan2323]

I’d bump it up significantly beyond 30%. It makes too much sense to just name him the interim coach to boost recruiting so that a wider net can be cast for a permanent replacement.

Calhoun is clearly on board with the firing which speaks volumes. If plans A and B don't work out look for plan JC.

 

[Blaneylover]

Yes, I think this is the way it will go. The violations appear to be minor but UConn will use them as leverage to reach some figure well below $10MM.

Agreed.

 

[Kathy]

How do you know that Kathy? What is the alleged charge?

Players cleared to play and not even a notice of allegations from the NCAA yet. If what has already been stated is their cause I believe it is shaky. No need for personal attacks just because I don't agree with you

 

[Coach J]

I think you meant to post this in the ludicrous thread?

Where you saying that before they brought Edsall back? Which I also mentioned beforehand on this board.

 

[SirHypeAlot]

To all those celebrating the firing with cause:

If it sticks there are some serious sanctions coming our way.

If Ollie wins a legal battle, Benedict and possibly Herbst will be gone.

Either way is messy. Pick your poison.

Losing Ollie and Herbst in a package deal would be divine intervention. I'd pay $20 mil for that.

 

[The Funster]

Disappointed it had to go this way. Hopefully Ollie and UConn can agree to a buyout and they can part ways without it getting messy. Both sides have rights but if this gets really nasty both sides will be wrong and neither will win.

 

[CL82]

Yeah it is. If you did something wrong it shouldn't matter if winning or losing. Just how everyone here was upset about UNC. Who you are, how the team is doing shouldn't matter. It is wrong to have 2 sets of standards. If Benedict would have used this to fire him when he was winning as well as losing I'd have no problem. To have a sense of right or wrong change to suit your purpose is immoral and unethical. Just my values.

So the fact that a team might stand behind a successful coach means they have to stand behind a failing one? C'mon Kathy you can't actually believe that.

 

[UCDaveD]

And for your information I wouldn't have sold out our Nationally recognized basketball program for football. I would have stayed in the Big East and parked football somewhere else.

Just catching up here, but you do realize that UConn never left the Big East, right?

 

[CL82]

To treat one of your own like that... sucks. I hope he can eventually forgive the University of Connecticut

I guess money talks at the end of the day...

Trolls gonna troll.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Agree with the move. I just question the timing.

Why release this on championship Saturday? There is so much media positioned to talk about college basketball today and tomorrow and it will be so easy for every single talking head/commentator to fill their air time with complaints about uconns handling of this.

We should have waited until Sunday night or Monday morning to release this. Then everyone would have been focused on the tournament and brackets and Ollie/UConn would have been an afterthought and secondary news.

Again, I agree with the move. I just think they chose the absolute worst possible time to release it to minimize public perception damage.

It’s counterintuitive perhaps, but I think we want the press. What message does this send to players, and the college hoops community. UConn is a championship program that doesn’t accept failure. We are moving ahead full speed to return to our former glory. In short, it’s positive news and we want to be in the news cycle on a day like today. There is nothing negative here.

 

[Coach J]

I think you meant to post this in the ludicrous thread?

Come to think of it, I also said when the news of the investigation came out, that it might be the impetus to fire KO to avoid the buyout.

 

[Stainmaster]

 

[CL82]

If he is being fired for losing...

Yeah because a coach never gets fired for losing.

 

[metsfan2323]

Trolls gonna troll.

Yup, ecasadoSBU is a Providence fan with nothing better to do.

 

[Kathy]

So the fact that a team might stand behind a successful coach means they have to stand behind a failing one? C'mon Kathy you can't actually believe that.

Never said that I said you don't stand behind either. Winning doesn't mean you excuse what you wouldn't excuse if you were losing.

 

[WhiteDressWes]

I heard from a reporter this morning which was hinting that this was happening and I didn't get it...the AD and prez wants a big name and looking to go go after a couple with $... few can confirm this because I pm this today

I need a big name; Gotten used to Nattys every 4 or 5 years.

 

[kemba]

Never said that I said you don't stand behind either. Winning doesn't mean you excuse what you wouldn't excuse if you were losing.

Sometimes it does

 

[Kathy]

Just catching up here, but you do realize that UConn never left the Big East, right?

In a sense we did when we went all in on Football

 

[Kathy]

Sometimes it does

Shouldn't

 

[WestHartHusk]

In a sense we did when we went all in on Football

You mean when we went all in on the Big East football conference? Good point.

 

[The Funster]

My list:

1) Hurley

2) Mark Schmidt

 

[Stainmaster]

In a sense we did when we went all in on Football

No, the C7 schools left and took the name.

 

[JMick]

No, the C7 schools left and took the name.

*paid for the name.

Sometimes I think we would have been better off forgoing the money

 

[Jimdish255]

I haven't gotten past P2 of the thread but my bullet point reactions:

It's sad to lose a guy that was part of so much about the program you lived and died with and spent time at the top of the mountain.

It's dangerous to underestimate DB and many here had written off even the suggestion of a bold move this year. But it's also understandable given the desperation of the situation that something needed to be done now.

The recent meeting is a mystery and whether or not any talk of a negotiated buyout was discussed and squashed.

The other issue related to timing may have been a responsibility to act on a disciplinary issue in a timely manner, but might also include available candidates showing an interest in the job.

I don't think candidates will avoid this job opportunity unless they see themselves breaking the same rules that are at issue. It's still a high profile gig with big upside for the right Coach.

Really mixed emotions but going with DB's judgement until proven wrong.

 

[CL82]

Let's cool it with the personal back and forths and keep it to the discussion of the event? Half of these posts are a waste of our time.

Ignore is your friend. Just sayin'.

 

[kemba]

Shouldn't

Yes it should.

Happens anywhere. If you are an exemplary employee for 20+ years and then mess up, company is likely to back you and give you the benefit of the doubt.

Mess up as a newer employee with a lot shorter track record, they don't owe you anything, they don't have to stand by you.

 

[Matrim55]

My list:

1) Hurley

2) Mark Schmidt

Schmid's a mediocre at best coach whose recent run of success is solely due to lucking into Jaylen Adams. As soon as Adams graduates, that's a 14-15 win team again.

BTW, know who signed Adams' younger brother, who's supposed to be better? Danny Hurley.

 

[Deadrody]

Good lord, a lot of people are really distinguishing themselves here, today.

Keep this in mind: YOU.DO.NOT.KNOW.ANYTHING

Stop speculating and assuming. Maybe this, maybe that, I think... Just stop already. What you know is what has been printed in black and white. Not one more shred of information than that.