Buckeyes fire Jim O'Brien

[Bearcat729]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040608/ap_on_sp_co_ne/bkc_ohio_st_o_brien_2


Ohio St. Basketball Coach Says He Was Fired

22 minutes ago

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State fired basketball coach Jim O'Brien on Tuesday for alleged recruiting violations, he said.



The school would not confirm O'Brien's firing, but scheduled a news conference for Tuesday afternoon.

"I am advised that my firing is because I was asked to and tried to give assistance to a young man's family who was in dire financial straits," O'Brien said in a statement. "The assistance in no way influenced the young man in his decision to attend OSU and, indeed, the young man did not enroll at OSU."

The Buckeyes finished 14-16 in 2003-04, missing the postseason for the first time in six years.

O'Brien was 133-88 in seven seasons at Ohio State and 368-305 in a 22-year head coaching career.

He took the Buckeyes to the 1999 Final Four in his second season.

[korme]

Damn.

[General Mike]

Sucks for him.

[JeeberD]

"The assistance in no way influenced the young man in his decision to attend OSU and, indeed, the young man did not enroll at OSU."


From what I heard on the radio he tried to enroll at OSU but was denied by the NCAA because he had been paid to play ball in Europe.

And if O'Brian really thinks that giving the kid six grand isn't going to influence his decision...well, then he's got some issues to work out.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Now let's see here ... what do I think got Jim O'Brien fired?

A) Giving $6k several years ago to a kid who never played there
or
B) Finishing 14-16 in 03-04, missing the postseason for the 1st time in 6 years.

Hmm ...

[Ragone]

Good thing its not quin snyder at osu.. he never would have made it on campus before being fired :P

[Neuqua]

I wonder if Matta would be interested in the job or if he's going to bank on the IU job being open this season.

[General Mike]

I wonder if Matta would be interested in the job or if he's going to bank on the IU job being open this season.

Bobby Knight MAY be the front runner for the job. Other names in the mix are Thad Matta, Gary Waters (don't steal our coach), Louis Orr, Kevin Stallings. There are probably more names out there tho.

[MrBug708]

Heh

It's not like OSU has a bigger Bankroller then Oregon does....

Malik Hairston anyone?

[lcjjdnh]

Bobby Knight MAY be the front runner for the job. Other names in the mix are Thad Matta, Gary Waters (don't steal our coach), Louis Orr, Kevin Stallings. There are probably more names out there tho.As a Seton Hall fan I really hope Louis Orr doesn't leave. He's done a great job these past few years and I'm sure he'll continue. If I had to guess, I would say he would not leave, since he's a former Big East player who is coaching in the Big East. The only job I anticipate him leaving for is the Syracuse job when Jim Boheim retires.

[kingnebwsu]

The lead recruiter for Ohio State at the time is now the head coach at my alma mater, Wright State. Hopefully Paul Biancardi doesn't get in any trouble for this...

[scooper]

I wonder if Matta would be interested in the job or if he's going to bank on the IU job being open this season.
No! No! NO! No! No! No! No!

I am blockading Victory Parkway and restricing all access to Xavier University until Ohio State's coaching issues are resolved.

[scooper]

The lead recruiter for Ohio State at the time is now the head coach at my alma mater, Wright State. Hopefully Paul Biancardi doesn't get in any trouble for this...
King, he came up on 1360 in Cincinnati this morning. I thought I heard something about a story in the Dayton Daily this morning linking him to it, but I was in the shower and didn't hear the full thing.

[QuikSand]

Bobby Knight MAY be the front runner for the job.

That's where my money is.

[Ksyrup]

Which would explain why Knight just signed a 3-year extension, I'm sure.

[MrBug708]

Which would explain why Knight just signed a 3-year extension, I'm sure.

Probably an easier buyout. Extensions mean nothing in the coaching world....

[JeeberD]

Probably an easier buyout. Extensions mean nothing in the coaching world....

Very true. See Trent Johnson...

[kingnebwsu]

This is from Wright State, where Paul Biancardi (OSU's former head recruiter) is now the head coach.

"Statement from Dr. Michael Cusack
Athletic Director, Wright State University

At Wright State, we're proud of our longstanding commitment to the
welfare of our student athletes and to all regulations governing
intercollegiate athletics, as evidenced by our recent NCAA
reaccredidation.

We stand ready to cooperate with any investigations regarding the
allegations involving Coach Biancardi in his previous employment at The
Ohio State University.

I support Coach Biancardi, who has denied all allegations.

_____________________________________

Statement from Paul Biancardi
Men's Basketball Coach, Wright State University

I am disappointed and frustrated over the situation that has evolved
from a lawsuit in which I am not a party and have had no involvement.
Statements, having no basis in truth, have been used to make decisions
affecting the lives of dedicated individuals. These statements are not
supported by facts and are uncorroborated.

I look forward to answering the allegations that have been made against
me and the charges against The Ohio State University Men's Basketball
Program."

We'll see what happens. This is a potential nightmare for my alma mater though. Hopefully everything turns out okay...

[tucker342]

Ohio State should take Steve Alford... in fact, please take Steve Alford. The University of Iowa will PAY you to take Steve Alford.:D

[Neuqua]

NBC4 from Columbus says Matta has accepted the job.

http://www.nbc4columbus.com/sports/3502066/detail.html

Interesting that just a week ago he said he had no interest in it and that he was going to stay at Xavier.

[MrBug708]

"No interest" comments mean as much as a contract does. Howland had a press conference saying he had no intentions of taking over the UCLA job. 3 days later he was the Head Coach.

[scooper]

:mad: :mad: :mad:


Buck off Thad!!!! No interest, blah blah blah. Happy at Xavier blah blah blah. But, what do we expect he did the same thing to his Alma Mater (Butler) to come to Xavier and that was after only one season! Nice integrity Thad.

Oh well. Bob Staak leaves..."what will Xavier do?" Enter Pete Gillen. The program improves.

Pete Gillen leaves..."what will Xavier do?" Enter Skip Prosser. The program improves.

Skip Prosser leaves..."what will Xavier do?" Enter Thad Matta. The program improves.

Sean Miller! Come on down!!!!