HARTFORD, Conn. _ Kevin Ollie's contract dispute with UConn, not surprisingly, is getting messy.
Ollie's lawyers have sent UConn president Susan Herbst a letter accusing the school of violating his constitutional rights by firing him for "just cause" before giving him an opportunity to contest the decision. The letter, dated April 3, was obtained by ESPN and reads, in part:
"From our review of the facts and circumstances relating to Coach Ollie's employment status, it is apparent that the University of Connecticut has already violated his rights under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution by subverting Coach Ollie's opportunity to respond to charges and evidence in a meaningful way in advance of the decision to terminate his employment. The public record, action taken, and authorized communications by representatives of the University of Connecticut, demonstrate that the decision to terminate Coach Ollie has already been made and therefore the University of Connecticut has effectively negated Coach Ollie's property right protected by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution."
UConn officials declined to comment on the letter.
At stake is the more than $10 million in compensation remaining on Ollie's contract as head coach of the men's basketball team, which runs through 2021. After back-to-back losing seasons, Ollie was fired on March 10, the university citing an ongoing NCAA inquiry into the program to "initiate disciplinary procedures to terminate (Ollie's) employment for "just cause."
Under the collective bargaining agreement with the American Association of University Professors, of which Ollie is a member, Ollie contends he was entitled to a letter outlining the reasons for firing him, which he did not receive, and thus the right of a due process, covered in the 14th Amendment, was violated.
On the evening he was fired, Ollie put out a statement saying he intended to fight the decision. He received a hearing with athletic director David Benedict last week, in which he appealed the decision, and Benedict maintained the school's position to fire with cause.
The next step is a hearing to appeal to Herbst. After that, Ollie can take the case to arbitration. If an arbitrator rules in UConn's favor, Ollie could file a lawsuit.
UConn hired Dan Hurley as head coach on March 22. In the meantime, Ollie is technically suspended with pay as the appeal process moves on.
In January, it was learned the NCAA had begun an inquiry into the program's recruiting. Later, it was learned there were possibly impermissible summer workouts. The NCAA has not yet announced any findings or sanctions.
