Ex-coach sues Ohio State

Former Ohio State men’s basketball coach Jim O’Brien has sued the university, seeking at at least $3.4 million for breach of his contract.   O’Brien was fired June 8 based on allegations he had given $6,000 to a recruit.  He had five years to run on a contract that paid him $864,000 a year.  O’Brien took the Buckeyes to the Final Four (left) in 1999.

From public reports, it appears that one bone of contention is the language of O’Brien’s contract, which apparently allows the University to fire him if he violates NCAA rules.  O’Brien claims that there has been no finding of any NCAA violation.  The University says it “made its decision in the best interest of the university and its athletic program,” and has “nothing further to say.”