STORRS, Conn. _ The sanctions UConn has self-imposed on its men's basketball program could give coach Dan Hurley the option of a seventh year added to his contract.
"That's certainly something we will discuss," AD David Benedict said in a 15-minute talk with state reporters before the UConn men's game vs. Tulane on Saturday. "That was contemplated early on in this process, with this inevitability, so that's something we're discussing now."
Hurley signed a six-year, $18 million contract last March, but during his interview, the possibility that UConn could draw sanctions for infractions from Kevin Ollie's tenure was raised. Hurley has the option of adding the extra year.
"It's (possible), absolutely," Benedict said. "If it's something Dan would want to trigger, it's up to him. Those are the conversations we're having."
The self-imposed sanctions, which UConn announced Friday, call for the loss of one scholarship next season and reductions in recruiting visits and travel by coaches. The infractions cited in the NCAA's notice of allegations last October included impermissible workouts with an outside trainer and impermissible contact between former UConn players and recruits. Ollie is charged with providing false and misleading information, which he is disputing.
"Typically the next step after a response is you go and meet with the committee on infractions," Benedict said. "Probably in next two to three months, I would guess, possibly longer. This is just our attempt to establish penalties we believe are consistent with the infractions. We used our best judgment."
UConn and Ollie are still tied in a dispute over his dismissal for just cause, with the $10 million left on his contract at stake. Benedict would not comment on the Ollie case or any recent statements from Ollie's attorneys, who have called the self-imposed penalties "self-serving and disingenuous."
As to whether the infractions and penalties rise to the level of firing Ollie for just cause, Benedict said, "We made a decision, so you can base your answer on that."
Benedict addressed other topics on UConn athletics:
