That will do it.

[UConnNick]

I'm with you on this. Let it be known as soon as possible so that the recruiting trail can carry on without the "what if's"...

If we're hopefully hiring a currently successful HC, it would logically follow that coaches in that category are coaching teams going into the tournament. If so, we won't know until their tourney run is done.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Thanks KO, you accomplished the unthinkable years ago, and because of that, you’ll always be remembered as a positive(in my opinion) in our history.

 

[tzznandrew]

We lost to Tulsa twice, Memphis, a very depleted smu. That’s at least 4 wins right there. We finished 8th when we should have been 4th. We have more talent than Tulsa

16-16 would have been trash, too, to be clear.

 

[Kathy]

Can you imagine if we just retained him as an assistant and hired another coach

You thank him no matter what. If he wants to hold them to the contract terms that is no different than any of us would do in that position

 

[Bonehead]

No matter what anyone says if they fire him he cares so much about UConn basketball he would be the 1st to encourage players and recruits to honor their commitment.

Ummmm - no thanks.

Let the new guy or gal encourage which players and recruits he or she wants honoring their commitments.

 

[Huskybass]

Injuries? and injuries and more injuries, with a few transfers thrown in the mix

Having said that, I still think the team should have competed better, hence my waning confidence

I'm not sure I could make my case more obvious that I did, seriously. And I've been consistent each and every time

We were missing Gilbert today. SMU was missing both their best player AND their best rebounder. You will never get it because you don't want to get it.

 

[Tenspro2002]

I'd like to see him on the bench as a UConn assistant, but don't think that will happen. I wish him all the best and thank you for 2014.

That's part of the tragedy -- he was well-suited to be an assistant coach and was growing into that role. Then he was Peter-Principled into the head coach job by JC.

He should have been allowed to continue developing as an assistant, to maintain some continuity with the JC era, while we conducted a national search to find a truly qualified HC.

 

[JMick]

Thanks KO, you accomplished the unthinkable years ago, and because of that, you’ll always be remembered as a positive(in my opinion) in our history.

I just hope it doesn't get nasty when he's let go

 

[HooperScooper]

We played a ridiculous schedule this year, and the addition of WSU to the conference added 2 more losses that could have been wins (16-16?). But you are what your record says you are, and this team was not good.

It's not just the record. This team wasn't competitive this season. Even against bad teams they never looked good. Just a terribly constructed and coached team.

 

[8893]

Can you imagine if we just retained him as an assistant and hired another coach

Chris Dailey?

 

[Fishy]

There’s no part of this that’s acceptable. We were just blown out of the 8-9 game in the American Conference against a team that had gone 1-8 without its best player. We are legitimately a terrible team - for the first time any of us can remember, there may be more teams better than us than are teams that are worse than us.

We’re not even an NIT bubble team. And we might very well be worse next year.

I have no idea what Benedict might want to hear in his post-season player/coach interviews, but there’s nothing that can be said that should offer any justification that the current staff should be here next year. Nothing.

Well, nothing except, “Pay me $10,000,000.”

If the money is too large a hurdle, there’s nothing that can be done about it. It is what it is. Toss an assistant over the side and bring in a competent coaching assistant and tell Ollie that his job depends on him listening to that person - if we have to go to a figure head system like St. John’s where the head coach just has a great seat at the games, that’s fine.

Whatever’s going to be done, just do it quickly. There may be players who will want to leave if Ollie’s fired and there may be players who will want to leave if he isn’t - best to sort that out quickly. Next year is going to be enough of a disaster already without having to fill gaps in July again.

I was going to do a report card for the year, but I’m worried about my “F” key surviving the exercise.

 

[bmayuc]

Thanks KO. I'll enjoy the memories of the Shabazz run.

Fair Seas and Following Winds. BTW, can you please leave us some money on your way out?

Thanks a ton.

 

[uc1990]

I agree with willie99. Feel the same. Didn’t know that labeled me with a name...apologist. Not going to call anyone else a name I just don’t agree that he should be fired. If he is fired I promise I will support his successor just the same. Will you?

 

[Kathy]

I just hope it doesn't get nasty when he's let go

Like a lot of fans on this site haven't been nasty enough already? A little late for you or others to think it should be civil or professional.

 

[dennismenace]

Hey I have an idea! Why doesn’t Cincinnati just take him off our hands lol

How about a straight up swap

 

[JMick]

Like a lot of fans on this site haven't been nasty enough already? A little late for you or others to think it should be civil or professional.

Lolwut? My feelings on him as a coach and person are irrelevant when it comes to his firing or retaining. I can hope the school comes out of this looking good and that Ollie doesn't get tarnished on the way out too

 

[PAHusky]

I agree with willie99. Feel the same. Didn’t know that labeled me with a name...apologist. Not going to call anyone else a name I just don’t agree that he should be fired. If he is fired I promise I will support his successor just the same. Will you?

Genuine question, why don't you think he should be fired?

 

[willie99]

What injuries? We lost one guy. Everybody else was healthy all year. SMU was without Shake Milton today. Most teams have injuries and can adapt. Injuries don't even begin to be an excuse, especially this season.

We happened to lose our McDonald's All American and probably our best PG. That's a might big injury for a team that started the season short handed

Terry Larrier was recovering from a torn ACL, not an easy thing to do. Then, when he was playing a little better and the team looked like they were jelling in January and won three straight, he fractures his nasal cavity and he sucks the rest of the year

Actually having to explain this to UConn fans is pathetic, and it's no surprise what people like your post either. The only teams they ever make excuses for are our opponents, because it advances their hatred of Ollie narrative. That's all that matters to some, the nuances of the truth be damned

 

[KingAG]

We happened to lose our McDonald's All American and probably our best PG. That's a might big injury for a team that started the season short handed

Terry Larrier was recovering from a torn ACL, not an easy thing to do. Then, when he was playing a little better and the team looked like they were jelling in January and won three straight, he fractures his nasal cavity and he sucks the rest of the year

Actually having to explain this to UConn fans is pathetic, and it's no surprise what people like your post either. The only teams they ever make excuses for are our opponents, because it advances their hatred of Ollie narrative

Dude you’re trying too hard

 

[PAHusky]

Like a lot of fans on this site haven't been nasty enough already? A little late for you or others to think it should be civil or professional.

It's a message board. As far as I can remember, 99% of the "fire KO" crowd have focused mostly on the basketball related reasons - and there are many at this point - that he should be let go, and haven't gotten nasty at all.

 

[TRest]

My assumption is that Benedict wants the appearance of a fair process before letting him go. If we can afford it. We are on the precipice of falling off a UMass cliff, never to be seen again.

 

[Huskyforlife]

 

[Uconn77Duke74]

How do you get kids to buy into a coach who will be gone in a year or two?

I'd take it, but it's not my first call.

Didn't we say that same thing about JC like 5 years ago when we hired Ollie and yet he's still in the game. He's immortal I think.

 

[willie99]

Dude you’re trying too hard

When I'm called out with BS, I'll respond

But you make a valid point, I should just put more people on ignore, thanks

 

[Jluc]

What else would he say?

 

[KingAG]

What was he supposed to say lol

 

[August_West]

I was going to do a report card for the year, but I’m worried about my “F” key surviving the exercise.

Just type "22" when you wear out the other key. we will know what you mean.

 

[Marat]

I wouldn't want to be the AD right now. These decisions are going to be difficult whichever way it goes, and you just know UConn fans won't be happy after.

 

[Incursio007]

I truly feel KO put all of his eggs in the "AG will be 100% healthy" basket. I know he was somewhat rusty early & the exhibition games left a lot to be desired - but the way the team played against Oregon on a "neutral" court & Michigan State in the first half (Before Gilbert's shoulder got ripped out again) was very impressive. Tenacious defense, smart guard play & just overall intensity. Once he went down & was hampered, the entire team's dynamic changed.

I will never forget that 2014 run & it could very well be the optimist in me - but saving the athletic department $10 million & giving KO a healthy combination of Adams, Gilbert, Vital & Akinjo seems enticing. It's been a painful year to say the least - but whatever happens, thank you for a few wonderful memories Kevin.

 

[PAHusky]

We happened to lose our McDonald's All American and probably our best PG. That's a might big injury for a team that started the season short handed

Terry Larrier was recovering from a torn ACL, not an easy thing to do. Then, when he was playing a little better and the team looked like they were jelling in January and won three straight, he fractures his nasal cavity and he sucks the rest of the year

Actually having to explain this to UConn fans is pathetic, and it's no surprise what people like your post either. The only teams they ever make excuses for are our opponents, because it advances their hatred of Ollie narrative. That's all that matters to some, the nuances of the truth be damned

As someone mentioned earlier, we just got rocked by a team missing its best scorer and best rebounder. Memphis beat us this year with a clown squad assembled ten minutes before the season started. The injuries this year were a pg who missed all of last year with the same injury, and a facial injury to a kid who can't dribble and wasn't playing well at all before he even got hurt. If you think Gilbert and Larrier's nose were the real issue here I don't know what to tell you.