MBB: Independent Arbitrator Rules In Favor Kevin Ollie
An independent arbitrator settled the long-standing legal battle between the University of Connecticut and former men’s basketball head coach Kevin Ollie on Thursday, ruling in favor of the latter. Ollie, a UConn basketball alum and NBA veteran, was dismissed after the 2017-18 season in light of several NCAA investigations.
New Hampshire-based arbitrator and mediator Mark Irvings announced the ruling on Thursday, determining that Connecticut had fired Ollie “without just cause”. Ollie had just completed the penultimate season of a five-year contract inked in May 2014, just over a month after he guided the Huskies to their fourth and most recent national championship. Under the ruling, Ollie is due $11,157,032.95 within the next 10 business days.
“I am pleased with arbitrator Mark Irvings’ ruling which found that UConn did not have just cause to terminate my contract,” Ollie said in a statement released by his attorneys William Madsen and Jacques Parenteau, obtained by Dom Amore of the Hartford Courant. “I wish to thank God and my family, whose grace sustained me over the last four years…I wish to assure the UConn community, my alma mater, and an institution that has meant so much to me over the years, that the university will always have a special place in my heart and will always be a part of my family.”
Ollie’s final days at UConn were marred by several NCAA investigations and violations, which included several “level one” infractions, primarily student-athletes’ use of a trainer provided by a booster, which was labeled “extra benefits”. The lengthy battle between Ollie and the school ensued after the program fired him two days after the 2017-18 season ended, believing the investigations, which were incomplete at the time, gave them just cause for his dismissal. Ollie’s grievance was filed by the American Association of University Professors, of whom all UConn coaches are members. The AAUP’s collective bargaining agreement was cited in Irvings’ ruling and afforded Ollie several other union protections.
Another key point of contention between the two sides was the discussion of a double standard involving Ollie’s predecessor: though the Huskies incurred several NCAA penalties under Jim Calhoun (including banishment from postseason play in Ollie’s first season at the helm), the longtime head coach was not fired and allowed to retire at the end of the 2011-12 season.
UConn, per Amore’s report, is “reviewing it’s options” in the midst of the ruling and released its own statement in response.
““The arbitrator’s decision is nonsensical and seriously impedes the University’s ability to manage its athletics program. It also sends a signal to other coaches in Connecticut that they may ignore NCAA rules with impunity and continue to be employed and paid,” the university said. ““It is also inconsistent that the coaches are entitled to the benefits of the employment
contracts negotiated between the University and its coaches, but cannot be held to the ethical and behavioral standards contained in those same agreements.”
Ollie currently coaches in the Overtime Elite organization, a league of highly rated, high school-aged prospects that do not attend college. His ability to take another college job has been impeded by a three-year show cause order issued by the NCAA, which would require a potential hirer to meet with an infractions committee. That order is set to expire in July. He accumulated a 127-79 record at the helm of the Huskies, though 30 of those wins were later vacated.
The modern Huskies (12-4, 3-2 Big East), currently under the direction of Danny Hurley, return to action on Thursday against Butler (9 p.m. ET, FS1).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
