My take on the Ohio State situation

[Keith Wedinger]

Yesterday, I took my family to Kings Island and I was away from any and all 
news all day long.  So, imagine my surprise when I open this morning's 
Columbus Dispatch to see the headline, "O'Brien Fired".

Before I comment on this situation and its possible effect on UC, let me 
state that over the years, there is an important lesson I have learned.  Try 
to take the high road.  The temptation to "slam" OSU's program to anyone 
who'll listen is certainly there especially when you consider the moral high 
road OSU tries to take over UC.  But, in the end, what would that 
accomplish?

Now, my thought on this.

Did O'Brien deserve to get fired?

That's a tough one to answer.  I do not believe that the $6,000 payment is 
the only thing in play here.  The past two seasons especially the last one 
were not very good.  You can say that last season was quite bad.  Also, I 
think there may be other violations.  Apparently, the lawsuit that triggered 
all of this had to do with the lack of payment for services rendered with 
regards to a player staying at a booster's house and that the $6,000 payment 
was simply evidence in this lawsuit.  So, we actually have improper payments 
related to two players.

How will the NCAA respond?

It is my belief that if the NCAA looks hard enough and long enough at any 
major college program in the country, they will find something.  The key is 
to not give the NCAA a reason to look.  Unfortunately for OSU, the NCAA now 
has reason to look.  And OSU is about to find out how long and hard the NCAA 
can look.  When you break rule #1 (you cannot pay players), the NCAA gets 
VERY interested.  This could get very ugly for OSU.

Who also should take the fall for this?

I think there will be some serious heat on the OSU AD, Andy Geiger.  The 
football program has had several off the field problems since Tressel took 
over (Clarett, arrests).  And now, the basketball program has violated NCAA 
rule #1.  Tressel and O'Brien were Geiger hires and both were advertised as 
hires that restore the honor and good name of OSU athletics.

How will this affect UC?

Well, question #1 is what happens to Jamar Butler.  Jamar is hinting that he 
may not go to OSU now.  Unfortunately for Jamar, the NCAA rarely releases a 
player from his National Letter of Intent because of a coaching change.  
But, it will release a player if NCAA rules violations result in probation.  
Regardless, Jamar burned some bridges with his comments about UC and he may 
have burned his relationship with Huggins.  I think Jamar may be better 
served by going elsewhere if he leaves OSU.  Question #2 is, will OSU pursue 
Bob Huggins?  I am 99% certain that they won't.  OSU with it's comments 
about UC and the implications about how Huggins runs the program have pretty 
much eliminated that possibility.  Question #3, will OSU now schedule UC in 
basketball?  That really depends on who OSU hires as its coach and how hard 
the NCAA comes down on OSU.  UC will not schedule OSU if OSU is unable to 
play on TV.

Keith Wedinger
Bearcatnews.com
Sciotofootball.com

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