The University of Connecticut and former men’s basketball coach Kevin Ollie have reached a $3.9 million settlement for reputational damages and attorneys’ fees required to end the lengthy legal battle that ensued. between them since he was fired for allegedly violating NCAA rules in 2018.
The settlement effectively ended a federal racism lawsuit Ollie considered against the university.
Ollie, a former UConn point guard who guided the Huskies to a 127-79 record and 2014 national championship in six seasons as head coach, was let go after two seasons. failure.
After he was fired, Ollie sued the school after they refused to pay him the remainder of his multi-million dollar contract. The school cited the alleged violations to decide to dismiss Ollie with cause and without compensation.
In January, an arbitrator ruled that UConn “improperly fired” Ollie and he was awarded $11.1 million.
According to a joint statement between Ollie and the school on Thursday, the $3.9 million payment resolved “all outstanding issues related to his former job at the University of Connecticut and to avoid litigation takes longer and costs more.”
“I’m so grateful we were able to reach [an] “Ollie said in the statement.” My time at UConn as a student athlete and coach is something I will always cherish. I’m glad this issue is now fully and finally resolved. “
The NCAA’s investigation into Ollie’s alleged violations resulted in two years of school probation and three years of culpability for Ollie.
Ollie, who coached his alma mater to a national championship in 2014, continued to fight for what he and his team called inappropriate dismissals before a referee issued a yes. benefit them earlier this year.
Ollie’s legal team called the January ruling a “whitewash” for Ollie, who has been accused of fraudulent practices by the Commission of Infringement in its investigation.
Thursday’s deal comes as Ollie’s three-year program is about to expire, which could open the door for him to return to college coaching.
