UConn AD David Benedict (not surprisingly) recommends continuing with the termination...

[Madmannsucks]

This is stunningly wrong, on so many levels. Read Ollie's contract language which I pasted above. Keep in mind that the language in Ollie's contract describing just cause is in addition the language in CBA:
View attachment 31191

So exactly which of the listed items come into play? While so many so called insiders know(or hint at it), NOTHING specific has been leaked to the media. Does anyone but myself find this odd? I mean the highest office in the land cannot keep a secret, but UConn can, except for a privileged few here.

 

[UConnNick]

I have no idea what KO's infractions are but like everyone here I am very curious to find out. That being said, I have to chuckle about this money issue. Wealthy people arguing about millions. If I could walk away from something with a million bucks in my pocket I would be a happy man. But of course it is all relative. For someone with my simple lifestyle a million bucks would mean I never have to worry about money again. But I don't have an ex wife I owe millions. Money definitely does not equate to happiness.

I have an aunt who is fond of saying, "Money isn't everything, but there's damn little it won't buy!"

You're right that happiness is one of the things money doesn't necessarily buy.

 

[jimva]

This is stunningly wrong, on so many levels. Read Ollie's contract language which I pasted above. Keep in mind that the language in Ollie's contract describing just cause is in
addition the language in CBA:
View attachment 31191

You are so correct! KO could be fired for cause without ever violating an NCAA rule.

As I read paragraphs i. and v. if his annual review brought to light poor performance and he did not remedy it, he could be fired for cause.

 

[Chief00]

His divorce settlement is entirely irrelevant to this situation. And Chief is right on the money so to speak. The university implemented no procedures as did the NCAA for that matter, which were reflected in Ollie’s contract. He made 2 errors.
1. He didn’t pay attention to that portion of the contract.
2. He didn’t coach well enough to get his employer to not pay attention to it.
He just needs to go away.

I certainly understand your point, however the $2 million in upcoming divorce payments impacts KO’s willingness to settle at a number he might otherwise settle at. My sense is this mindset may be self defeating for KO.

 

[CL82]

I certainly understand your point, however the $2 million in upcoming divorce payments impacts KO’s willingness to settle at a number he might otherwise settle at. My sense is this mindset may be self defeating for KO.

Hey Chief, the statement that KO got a $3M settlement offer... fact or supposition?

 

[UConnDad]

Any lawyers know if the CBA or KO's contract applies first. It seems there are instances where conflicts exist. Looks like there is room for interpretation.

 

[tentoes4rings]

Yep, she did. They fired him for cause, and then KO’s attorney filed their response. At this point they have seen Ollie’s hand. They should settle now if they are not confident in their argument.

If they press forward and get crushed in court, and the bad publicity continues, allowing dirty laundry to spill, then I think it is now on Herbst.

One lawyer called Ollie’s hand the easiest to read he’s ever seen.

 

[Chief00]

Hey Chief, the statement that KO got a $3M settlement offer... fact or supposition?

Don’t have “Confirmed” level information on that.
In general, Kevin’s future divorce payments and life style has made it difficult for him to reasonably assess the case, in my opinion. Union lawyers, who win or get good settlements in many cases also have not adjusted to the stakes. The stakes here are in the millions rather than tens of thousands - so the school is willing to take it further.

 

[Madmannsucks]

One lawyer called Ollie’s hand the easiest to read he’s ever seen.

We have to realize courts tend to like "employees" more than "employers"....that has been my experience as a former manager who has been involved as a provider of information several times. And once as a litigant.

 

[8893]

Union lawyers, who win or get good settlements in many cases also have not adjusted to the stakes.

KO hired his own outside counsel and is not relying on the union lawyers.

 

[CL82]

So exactly which of the listed items come into play? While so many so called insiders know(or hint at it), NOTHING specific has been leaked to the media. Does anyone but myself find this odd? I mean the highest office in the land cannot keep a secret, but UConn can, except for a privileged few here.

Don't know but it is one of the above or the highlighted verbiage below:

Probably more than one. If I am UConn I'd say we fired you because of 1) violations of NCAA; 2) violations of UConn's policies and official interpretations; 3) neglect of responsibilities; 4) incompetence; repeated documented failure to meet generally accepted standards; 5) possibly insubordination or serious non-compliance with by-laws; and possibly 6) misconduct with a student.

Let me say, I do not know any of the facts, I am speculating based upon the rumors that have been floating and the available grounds for dismissal. If UConn just goes with the NCAA violation, they are foolish and should get new counsel, IMHO.

 

[CL82]

KO hired his own outside counsel and is not relying on the union lawyers.

But they are only working on matters that aren't covered by the union, if I read their letter correctly. That's why it was based on a tenuous due process argument.

 

[Chief00]

But they are only working on matters that aren't covered by the union, if I read their letter correctly. That's why it was based on a tenuous due process argument.

So what part of the meaningful content is not covered by the union? The Due Process stuff was not substance but PR.

 

[CL82]

So what part of the meaningful content is not covered by the union? The Due Process stuff was not substance but PR.

It's a claim. The notice argument could have some degree of legs but damages are going to be hard to prove since KO is still being paid and because, IIRC, the CBA has a stated remedy for insufficient notice.

 

[Chief00]

As a non lawyer, the bottomline is the dismissed employee believes he needs more money than he can realistically receive. That creates a gap until his counsel or union reels him in with some reality about what went on under his watch and the consequences.

 

[CL82]

As a non lawyer, the bottomline is the dismissed employee believes he needs more money than he can realistically receive. That creates a gap until his counsel or union reels him in with some reality about what went on under his watch and the consequences.

I'm sure that they discussed it with him. A lot of this may be posturing for settlement. We'll see. I think the FOIA shot over the bow was a mistake. It could have been done much more subtly.

 

[auror]

Don’t have “Confirmed” level information on that.
In general, Kevin’s future divorce payments and life style has made it difficult for him to reasonably assess the case, in my opinion. Union lawyers, who win or get good settlements in many cases also have not adjusted to the stakes. The stakes here are in the millions rather than tens of thousands - so the school is willing to take it further.

Has the gag order been lifted?

HALLELUJAH.

 

[Chief00]

I'm sure that they discussed it with him. A lot of this may be posturing for settlement. We'll see. I think the FOIA shot over the bow was a mistake. It could have been done much more subtly.

The FOIA premise seems to be nothing changed after 2012 when it’s a matter of public record things did change. So treating anyone differently after 2012 was inherent and therefore not discriminatory. And then you have the other stuff that never went on before 2012.

 

[freescooter]

Interesting issue is FOI vs discovery.. I think once you file foia you can’t insist on discovery if FOIA takes forever as it often does

 

[uconnphil2016]

Don’t have “Confirmed” level information on that.
In general, Kevin’s future divorce payments and life style has made it difficult for him to reasonably assess the case, in my opinion. Union lawyers, who win or get good settlements in many cases also have not adjusted to the stakes. The stakes here are in the millions rather than tens of thousands - so the school is willing to take it further.

Did anyone on here think this case was over KO asking for $20,000?

 

[Madmannsucks]

Personally, I would prefer to represent the employee vs the employer almost every time.

 

[Chief00]

Did anyone on here think this case was over KO asking for $20,000?

Sorry if I wasn’t clear - what I meant was even if right the University might pay the $20,000 in another case - so the union might consider that the norm. But, with the stakes in the millions the university is more likely to take it further on KO’s case.

 

[browndog319]

This is stunningly wrong, on so many levels. Read Ollie's contract language which I pasted above. Keep in mind that the language in Ollie's contract describing just cause is in addition the language in CBA:
View attachment 31191

I’m so glad you posted this. I thought I’d seen this before... his contract states that if he doesn’t perform according to what is expected and his reviews state that, that is cause.

 

[browndog319]

I certainly understand your point, however the $2 million in upcoming divorce payments impacts KO’s willingness to settle at a number he might otherwise settle at. My sense is this mindset may be self defeating for KO.

Any of us could be in that situation, an impending child getting into an expensive private college, facing a cancer diagnosis, retirement, etc. None of those give any of us a leg to stand on if our employers decide to fire us because we suck.
Just because his is a $2M problem doesn’t make it the university’s problem. Just like it wouldn’t be any of our employers’ problems.
Just shows how much his judgment has likely been impaired over the last few years.

 

[jdb50]

Does Ollie drive a black Range Rover with blacked out side windows?

 

[JMick]

Does Ollie drive a black Range Rover with blacked out side windows?

...why?

 

[jdb50]

Not sure if that's what he drives,but IF it is, and the windows are tinted beyond the state's legal limit, you may have just discovered one of Ollie's rules violations!

For some reason the police do not address this violation as you can see this on any trip in CT and it is a safety threat to them when they have to make traffic stops.

 

[2Infinity]

For some reason the police do not address this violation as you can see this on any trip in CT and it is a safety threat to them when they have to make traffic stops.

I totally agree with you. There seem to be many cars which violate the limits, but the enforcement leaves a lot to be desired which is surprising because as you suggest, the biggest threat is to those in law enforcement.

 

[Mokum]

This ad is on this thread here in Amsterdam!!

 

[Deadrody]

I think it is an effective process. The AD and Herbst assume ownership of the outcome as this moves up the chain. It is an unwritten accountability. If this goes to the courts and goes sideways on the university, the BOT pulls out their big axe and lobs off her head. She pays the penalty for bad decisions and bad press so that others above her do not. That is why Herbst needs to have conviction before denying the appeal. Because until then it is AD Dave with his head on the block.

Yeah, that sounds nice, but the UConn board of trustees is not going to dismiss their President over Kevin Ollie. No way, no how.

If Ollie and his team had ANYTHING that could remotely cause this to go that sideways in court (which does not even exist, really), they would be playing that hand already and would be skipping this appeal dog and pony show.