Former University of 海角换妻 men鈥檚 basketball coach Kevin Ollie has been charged by the NCAA with multiple violations including unethical conduct. Those findings could validate UConn鈥檚 March dismissal of Ollie.
Ollie was fired 鈥渇or cause鈥� and before he was let go, the school self-reported the violations to the NCAA 鈥� ones they believe Ollie is responsible for.
The alleged violations include shooting baskets with a recruit during an unofficial visit and connecting a prospect by phone with UConn legends Ray Allen and Rudy Gay.
鈥淲hile the allegations are a disappointment for the university, our student-athletes and coaches, and certainly all of UConn Nation, we believe strongly that we have made difficult yet appropriate decisions intended to protect the accountability, integrity, and success of our athletic program now and well into the future,鈥� a university spokesman said in a written statement.
Neill Ostrout, who covers UConn men鈥檚 basketball and football for the Journal Inquirer, believes UConn is trying to show the NCAA that they鈥檝e done the right thing and that it鈥檚 Ollie who鈥檚 in the wrong.
鈥淲e had a problem with this administration, we fired a coach, and therefore, we shouldn鈥檛 be further punished for whatever infractions took place,鈥� Ostrout said. 鈥淣ow, the NCAA doesn鈥檛 necessarily have to agree with that, but the fact that UConn has cooperated and the investigation went forward with UConn and the NCAA working together, it鈥檚 fairly likely that the NCAA is going to take it a little bit easy on UConn.鈥�
The university would benefit in proving the firing was for cause because it means the $10 million left on his contract shouldn鈥檛 be paid out.
If Ollie is found guilty of the ethics violations, he could be hit with what鈥檚 called a 鈥渟how-cause鈥� penalty.
鈥淚t would affect his ability to get another college head coaching job,鈥� Ostrout said. 鈥淚f any college wanted to hire him, they would have to go to the NCAA and basically show cause -- show a reason why they should be allowed to hire him.鈥�
Attorney Jacques Parenteau represents Ollie. He said they鈥檙e not surprised that the NCAA took UConn鈥檚 side. He also said Ollie will have a hearing in front of the NCAA committee on infractions, but not until spring.
鈥淭hese are just allegations that have been made,鈥� Parenteau said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e not proof of anything. Kevin has not had an opportunity to defend himself.鈥�
Ollie and Parenteau also don鈥檛 believe he should鈥檝e been fired for cause, so an arbitrator will hear that case.
