Ollie has week to respond to UConn hearing in writing

UConn men’s basketball coach Kevin Ollie had his hearing with the school on April 12 to challenge the decision to fire him for just cause, sources confirmed Monday.

Information that led to Ollie’s March 10 termination already had been communicated to him, according to a source, and the evidence was laid out at the hearing. Ollie’s representatives, which include the school’s union, attended the hearing and now have a week to respond in writing.

Ollie’s request is not necessarily seen as typical of the process. The hearing is seen as the opportunity for the individual requesting the meeting, in this case Ollie, to provide direct feedback why the information used to start the termination process was flawed or inaccurate.

Instead, Ollie’s side will take time to give a written response and based on the information provided, athletic director David Benedict, as the school’s hearing official, will submit his response whether he will uphold the decision or change it.

If Benedict upholds the decision to terminate, Ollie has the opportunity to appeal to UConn president Susan Herbst. If Herbst upholds Benedict’s decision, the case can be taken to arbitration.

If UConn ultimately is successful in proving just cause for violating the terms of his contract, the school would not have to pay any of the more than $10 million owed to Ollie on a contract that expires in 2021.