Kevin Ollie, UConn Agree to $3.9M Settlement After Wrongful Termination Lawsuit
Sep 15, 2022
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY - FEBRUARY 22: Head coach Kevin Ollie of the Connecticut Huskies is seen during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at BB&T Arena on February 22, 2018 in Highland Heights, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Kevin Ollie has reached a settlement with the University of Connecticut stemming from his wrongful termination lawsuit.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, the university and Ollie announced he will receive a $3.9 million payout "for claimed reputational damages and attorney's fees."
UConn announced in March 2018 it had begun the process of firing Ollie for just cause. The move came after the basketball program was alerted to an NCAA inquiry into potential recruiting violations.
In June 2018, the school released documents that showed Ollie and former Huskies star Ray Allen had improper training sessions and improper contact with recruits.
The NCAA Committee on Infractions gave Ollie a three-year show-cause penalty for failing to fully cooperate with the investigation.
"This case illustrates the importance of full candor and cooperation in the infractions process, as well as head coach control," the NCAA said in a statement. "The former head coach faltered in both respects, increasing the severity of his violations and allowing violations within the program to occur for most of his tenure."
The basketball program was given two years of probation and lost a scholarship during the 2019-20 academic year. It also vacated all of its wins from the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.
Ollie sent a letter to the University of Connecticut shortly after he was fired that was obtained by ESPN's Myron Medcalf. He argued the school violated his "rights under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution" and he sought the money still left on his deal at the time of his dismissal.
UConn hired Ollie, who played for the program from 1991-95, in September 2012 after Jim Calhoun retired. He spent two seasons as an assistant on Calhoun's staff before being named head coach.
Ollie went 127-79 in six seasons with the Huskies. He led the team to two NCAA tournament appearances, including a championship in the 2013-14 season.
After spending three years out of basketball, Ollie was hired as head coach and director of player development for Overtime Elite in 2021.
Richard Hamilton Headlines 2022 CBB HOF Class; Roy Williams, Jim Calhoun Honored
Jun 29, 2022
25 Jan 1999: Richard Hamilton #32 of the Connecticut Huskies dribbles during the game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. The Huskies defeated the Hoyas 78-71. Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport
Former UConn star Richard Hamilton headlines the 2022 class for the College Basketball Hall of Fame that was announced Wednesday:
— National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (@CBHOF) June 29, 2022
Former head coaches Jim Calhoun and Roy Williams were both part of the founding class at the Hall of Fame's creation in 2006, but they will be formally honored at the 2022 ceremony. Almost 200 people were named in the first class, although they have spread the honors across the years a few at a time.
In addition to Hamilton, former players Larry Miller, Frank Selvy and Jimmy Walker were added to the 2022 class.
Coaches John Beilein, Jerry Krause and Lon Kruger are also part of the seven-member new class.
Williams and Calhoun were easy calls for the inaugural class, each winning three NCAA titles during their careers. Williams went to nine Final Fours while coaching blue bloods Kansas and North Carolina, while Calhoun built UConn into a powerhouse over his more than two decades with the school.
Hamilton was one of Calhoun's best players at UConn, leading the Huskies to their first championship in 1999.
The guard, known as Rip during his NBA career, also had one of the most memorable buzzer-beaters in March Madness history:
The remaining players in the 2022 class competed at the college level over 50 years ago.
Walker was a two-time All-American at Providence before becoming the No. 1 pick in the 1967 NBA draft with the Detroit Pistons. Miller led North Carolina to the Final Four in 1967 and 1968 under Dean Smith, averaging 21.8 points per game in his three-year career.
Selvy starred at Furman and averaged 41.7 points per game in 1953-54, scoring 100 points in a single game that season. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1954 NBA draft.
There are also some impressive resumes among the coaches inducted.
Kruger reached two Final Fours and led five different teams to the NCAA tournament, a feat otherwise only accomplished by Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith. He most recently coached Oklahoma before retiring in 2021.
Beilein went to the NCAA tournament with four different teams, but is best known for his time with West Virginia and Michigan. He reached two Final Fours with the Wolverines while winning two Big Ten tournament titles.
Krause spent 17 years as the head coach at Eastern Washington, leading the program from NAIA to Division II and eventually Division I. He also spent time on the staff at Gonzaga after leaving Eastern Washington.
UConn's Dan Hurley 'Very Eager' to Find Out Cause of Ejection vs. Villanova
Feb 23, 2022
Connecticut coach Dan Hurley, center, reacts during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Villanova, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. Hurley was ejected. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
UConn men's basketball head coach Dan Hurley is still confused why he was ejected from Tuesday's game.
"I'm very eager to find out from the (Big East) head of officials what the explanation [for] that was," he told reporters after the Huskies' 71-69 victory over Villanova.
Hurley picked up a technical foul in the first half of the contest and was then assessed a second one when he turned around to pump up the crowd. UConn was leading 24-23 in the first half when he was ejected.
Associate head coach Kimani Young took over for him after the ejection.
While Hurley's exit was the story of the first half, the Huskies made sure the story of the second half was their dramatic comeback in the final stretch.
They trailed 69-65 with 31 seconds remaining and seemed on their way to a surefire loss when Villanova's Caleb Daniels stepped to the free-throw line. However, he missed the front end of a one-and-one, which set the stage for the comeback.
Tyler Polley hit a three to cut the deficit to one before R.J. Cole stole the ball back and scored in the lane with five seconds left to give UConn the lead for good. Collin Gillespie's charge on the ensuing Villanova possession all but sealed it, and the home crowd stormed the floor after the impressive victory over the No. 8 Wildcats.
Adama Sanogo led the way for the victors with 20 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal.
UConn is now 20-7 overall and 11-5 in Big East play after the win. It has won four games in a row and has the opportunity to finish the regular season on a high note with three more games against Georgetown, Creighton and DePaul.
Georgetown and DePaul are a combined 3-28 in the conference and shouldn't pose much of a problem, while the game against the Bluejays, who are 10-5 in the Big East, could go a long way toward seeding in the conference tournament.
The Huskies are in third place and two games behind Providence and Villanova.
While it may be too late to make a charge at the conference title, the No. 3 seed in the Big East tournament is well within their reach thanks to Young's ability to coach them to victory after Hurley was ejected.
No. 8 Villanova Upset by No. 21 UConn Behind Adama Sanogo's 20-Point Performance
Feb 23, 2022
Connecticut's R.J. Cole knocks the ball from Villanova's Collin Gillespie during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The No. 21 UConn men's basketball team made a statement Tuesday with a 71-69 upset-win over No. 8 Villanova at home.
Adama Sanogo led the way with 20 points as the Huskies improved to 20-7 and 11-5 in the Big East. R.J. Cole added 12 points and made the go-head layup with 5.9 seconds left in the second half. He also drew a charge on Villanova's ensuing possession to seal the victory. The Wildcats fell to 21-7 and 14-4.
This was UConn's first win over Villanova since the 2014 NCAA tournament, ending a five-game losing streak. The two teams didn't face each other again until 2018 when UConn rejoined the Big East from the American Athletic Conference.
Tuesday's contest was a back-and-forth game with 18 lead changes. UConn faced a four-point deficit in the final minute before Tyler Polley nailed a three-pointer and Cole pushed them ahead for good.
The Wildcats were led by Collin Gillespie's 17 points, but he had two crucial turnovers down the stretch, including the offensive foul on Cole. Three other players scored in double figures for Villanova.
UConn overcame the absence of head coach Dan Hurley, who was ejected in the first half of the game after picking up two technical fouls. The second technical was assessed quickly after the first one, apparently because Hurley was hyping up the home crowd.
Associate head coach Kimani Young took over the head coaching duties and received praise for his performance on the bench:
Kimani Young put on a tactical show down the stretch.
Used his timeouts flawlessly and crafted multiple perfect possessions in a row.
He also had the demeanor and confidence of someone who was more than ready to be a head coach. https://t.co/gqAFJNG38V
It's the Huskies' first 20-win season since 2015-16, and the team has now won four consecutive games. UConn will enjoy a few days off before returning to action Sunday against Georgetown.
UConn's Dan Hurley Ejected vs. Villanova After Pumping Up Crowd
Feb 23, 2022
Connecticut head coach Dan Hurley reacts toward Connecticut's Tyler Polley in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Xavier, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
UConn men's basketball head coach Dan Hurley is known for his high energy on the sidelines, but it cost him Tuesday.
Hurley picked up a technical in the first half against No. 8 Villanova and decided to hype up the crowd, which earned him a second technical and an ejection. The No. 21 Huskies were up 24-23 at the time of Hurley's exit.
Hurley has been UConn's head coach since 2018. The 49-year-old previously spent six seasons at the helm of Rhode Island and two years coaching Wagner College. Including this season, he's coached the Huskies to a 69-44 record.
Hurley also played college ball at Seton Hall for five seasons, including a redshirt year. He's the youngest son of legendary high school basketball coach Bob Hurley and the brother of Arizona State men's basketball head coach Bobby Hurley.
UConn entered Tuesday's matchup 19-7 and 10-5 in the Big East. The Huskies had won their last three games and four of their last five. The team is tied with Creighton for third place in the conference behind Villanova and Providence. The 11th-ranked Friars (22-3) lead with a 12-2 conference record just ahead of the Wildcats' (21-6) 14-3 mark.
There's still time for the top seed in the Big East to be decided. Villanova's second-to-last game of the regular season will be against Providence on March 1, giving the Wildcats a chance to take over the lead. But the Friars also have two games in between against Xavier and Creighton this week.
The Huskies have three games left in the regular season against Georgetown, Creighton and DePaul.
Auriemma: UConn's Paige Bueckers Uncertain to Return from Injury for Big East Tourney
Feb 21, 2022
Connecticut's Paige Bueckers flexes from the bench in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Seton Hall, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
UConn guard Paige Bueckers is not expected to return before the end of the regular season, coach Geno Auriemma said Sunday.
"There's some really good days when she feels like, 'I could play tomorrow.' And then there's days when she’s reminded, 'No you can't,'" Auriemma told reporters. "So there's more good days than not, but she’s not going to be playing in this coming week. Let’s put it that way. You’re not going to see here Wednesday, Friday or Sunday.”
Bueckers has been out of the lineup since suffering a tibial plateau fracture and meniscus tear to her left knee Dec. 5. She was expected to return in eight weeks, but that timeframe has passed with no firm timetable for her return.
Auriemma would not commit to her being back for the Big East tournament, which gets underway March 4.
"What’s the Big East Tournament look like? I don’t know," Auriemma said. "We'll see. I said this before: When you're coming off an injury, the only person that knows when it's time is the athlete themselves, and you have to get to a point where you trust it and you feel confident in it. That's probably the last thing to come."
The Huskies lost two of their first three games without Bueckers, who was a National Player of the Year candidate, but have rebounded to post a 13-2 record over their last 15 games. They are a mortal lock to win the Big East regular-season championship and go into the conference tournament as the No. 1 seed.
ESPN currently has UConn projected as a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament, which would mark the first time since 2013 Auriemma's team is not a No. 1 seed. Bueckers' return to the lineup, provided she's at 100 percent, could have them playing like a No. 1 at the right time of the season.
Bueckers was averaging 21.2 points, 6.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds before going down with the knee injury.
Kevin Ollie Owed $11.2M After Winning Arbitration Case over UConn Firing
Jan 20, 2022
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY - FEBRUARY 22: Head coach Kevin Ollie of the Connecticut Huskies is seen during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at BB&T Arena on February 22, 2018 in Highland Heights, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Former Connecticut men's basketball head coach Kevin Ollie has won his arbitration case against the school.
Per David Borges of The Hour, Ollie's attorney, Jacques J. Parenteau, said the school has to pay his client $11.2 million within the next 10 business days.
Mark Irvings, the arbitrator in the case, ruled Connecticut violated the collective bargaining agreement in firing Ollie with "just cause" in March 2018.
Ollie signed a five-year contract extension with the Huskies in May 2014 that tied him to the program through the 2018-19 season.
In January 2018, the NCAA notified the University of Connecticut it had opened an investigation into the men's basketball program.
The school announced on March 10, 2018, it had started the process of firing Ollie for just cause. The NCAA handed down discipline that included two years of probation and loss of a scholarship during the 2019-20 academic year for the program and gave Ollie a three-year show-cause penalty because of violations that were deemed to have "exceeded the allowable amount of activity" during the preseason.
Connecticut also vacated all of its wins from the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.
Per Creg Stephenson of AL.com, Ollie's show-cause penalty expires on July 2, 2022. He could potentially be hired by another school before that date, but it would have to meet with an NCAA infractions committee to justify the move.
After the NCAA discipline was announced, Ollie issued a statement through his lawyer saying he was "disappointed with the NCAA Committee on Infractions decision but not surprised that the Committee acted to support its member institution in the dispute" between the two parties.
In a letter to the university shortly after his firing obtained by ESPN's Myron Medcalf, Ollie argued the school violated his "rights under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution" and he was seeking to receive the remaining money still left on his contract.
Ollie spent six seasons as Huskies head coach from 2012-18. The 49-year-old went 97-79 with two NCAA tournament appearances, including a national title in 2013-14.
AP Women's College Basketball Poll 2021: UConn Out of Top 10 for 1st Time Since 2005
Dec 20, 2021
UNCASVILLE, CT - DECEMBER 19: UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma reacts during the Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Showcase game between UConn Huskies and Louisville Cardinals on December 19, 2021, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
After losing two of their past three games, the Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team has fallen out of the Top 10 in the Associated Press rankings for the first time since 2005.
In the latest AP Top 25 poll released Monday, the Huskies dropped four spots to No. 11. South Carolina (11-0) remained in the top spot and received all 29 first-place votes.
Women's College Basketball 2021 AP Top 25 Poll (Week 7)
1. South Carolina (11-0)
2. Stanford (8-2)
3. Louisville (10-1)
4. Arizona (10-0)
5. North Carolina State (11-2)
6. Maryland (9-3)
7. Tennessee (9-1)
8. Indiana (9-2)
9. Michigan (11-1)
10. Baylor (9-2)
11. Connecticut (6-3)
12. Texas (8-1)
T13. Iowa State (11-1)
T13. Georgia (10-1)
15. Iowa (6-2)
16. Duke (9-1)
17. Georgia Tech (9-2)
18. South Florida (8-3)
19. BYU (9-1)
20. Notre Dame (10-2)
21. LSU (9-1)
22. Kentucky (7-3)
23. Texas A&M (9-2)
24. Ohio State (8-2)
25. North Carolina (10-0)
According to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com), Connecticut spent a record 313 consecutive weeks ranked in the Top 10 dating back to March 7, 2005.
No. 10 Baylor now holds the longest active streak of consecutive weeks in the top 10 at 136.
Connecticut announced Dec. 14 that Paige Bueckers, the reigning AP Player of the Year, is expected to miss eight weeks after undergoing surgery to repair an anterior tibial plateau fracture and lateral meniscus tear.
She suffered the injury in the final minute of a Dec. 5 win over Notre Dame.
In six games with Bueckers, the Huskies were 5-1 and averaged 62.3 points per game. They are averaging 59.7 points per game and have lost two of three games without the superstar sophomore.
While head coach Geno Auriemma looks to find answers for UConn, Dawn Staley is doing everything right with South Carolina right now. The Gamecocks already have three wins over top-16 opponents: Connecticut, Duke, Maryland.
This week will present a significant challenge for South Carolina. It will host No. 2 Stanford on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET. The reigning national champions have won four straight games, including a 74-63 victory over Tennessee at Thompson-Boling Arena on Saturday.
No. 3 UConn Upset by Georgia Tech; 1st Loss to Unranked Opponent Since 2012
Dec 10, 2021
Georgia Tech's Sarah Bates (3) and Lorela Cubaj (13) celebrate after Georgia Tech defeated Connecticut in an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
The UConn women lost all of two games last season. This year, they've lost two of their last four games.
Georgia Tech stunned the Lady Huskies on Thursday night, beating them 57-44 behind Lotta-Maj Lahtinen's 15 points and three assists.
Life without reigning Player of the Year Paige Bueckers didn't get off to a great start for the Huskies. The superstar guard, out six to eight weeks with a tibial plateau fracture in her left knee, has been joined on the sideline by freshman Azzi Fudd and sophomore Nika Muhl, who are also dealing with injuries, this month.
Whether UConn (5-2) was unable to overcome those missing pieces or Georgia Tech simply played suffocating defense—likely a combination of the two—the Huskies struggled immensely on the offensive end Thursday, shooting just 31 percent from the field (18-of-58) and 13.3 percent from three (2-of-15). They also turned the ball over 16 times.
Without Bueckers to facilitate and lead the team in scoring, UConn's offense stagnated. It was a worrying first performance in this sans-Bueckers stretch of the season.
"I've usually been pretty good over the years at making players better. Our players get a lot better at UConn...and right now that's not happening" - Geno Auriemma pic.twitter.com/PFiYtC5RsH
UConn's struggles will be the storyline, but Georgia Tech (7-2) has gotten off to a very nice start this season, with back-to-back wins over Georgia and the Huskies. That aggressive defense, paired with the team's length in the paint, will make the Yellow Jackets a tough out come March.
Georgia Tech HC Nell Fortner said she’s so proud of her team and the fight they executed down the stretch. She said she knows UConn is down a few players but they’re still a “really really good team.” Big win for Nell tonight. pic.twitter.com/7LWddvl2QB
