In March of 2018, Kevin Ollie, then head coach of the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team, was fired by his alma mater.
The school cited just cause for the move as the program struggled during his final two years. The program, and Ollie, were later hit with NCAA infractions. That seemed to only strengthen their decision to fire the coach who brought them an NCAA title in only his second year as head coach.
But Ollie wasn’t going away quietly.
First, the University of Connecticut Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, which represents coaches at UConn, filed a grievance on behalf of Ollie.
Mediation attempts were made, but the case eventually went before an arbitrator. Ollie’s attorney, Jacques J. Parenteau, said they tried to resolve the situation amicably, “but UConn took a completely unrealistic position throughout.”
Yesterday the arbitrator made his ruling and now UConn must pay Kevin Ollie $11 million, the amount remaining on his contract when he was fired.
And it’s due in 10 days.
“An employer must show that at the time it made the decision to terminate it possessed the grounds upon which the termination was supposedly based,” wrote arbitrator Mark L. Irvings. “An employer cannot first terminate an employee and then undertake an investigation to establish the factual grounds supporting its predetermined conclusion.”
Ollie’s legal team was, of course, pleased with the decision and issued a statement on behalf of their client.
“In closing,” read Ollie’s statement, “I wish to assure the University of Connecticut 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 took care of that family. In six years as their head coach, he amassed a record of 127-79, made two NCAA appearances and won an NCAA title in 2014.
Ollie is also only one of four Black coaches to win a men’s NCAA title. The others were Georgetown’s John Thompson (1984), Arkansas’ Nolan Richardson (1994) and Kentucky’s Tubby Smith (1998)
Regardless of his success, the university, as expected, was not pleased with Irvings’ ruling.
“Indeed, in his decision, the arbitrator agrees that the NCAA’s ruling that Ollie engaged in serious NCAA violations gave UConn sufficient basis to terminate Ollie for just cause,” the statement read. “However, the arbitrator concluded that UConn should have waited the 16 months it took for the NCAA proceedings to conclude before terminating Ollie.
“As an NCAA member institution, UConn did not have the luxury of waiting more than a year before terminating Ollie for the misconduct the university was aware he had engaged in. UConn could not continue to employ a head coach with the knowledge that he had violated NCAA rules that put student athletes, as well as the entire UConn athletics program, in jeopardy.”
UConn also stated: “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.”
Also of note is that Ollie’s federal discrimination case against the university is still in play. He claims he was treated differently than a white coach in his termination.
While his team is evaluating the options in federal court, Irvings’ decision could provide support if they ultimately decide to go in that route.
Irvings’ arbitration ruling is final, yet the university could fight it if any examples of corruption are discovered or if the ruling violated a public policy of some sort.
While that’s a possibility, it appears that a check for $11,157,032.95 will be arriving at Kevin Ollie’s home in less than two weeks.
