Columbus, Ohio – Ohio State must pay former men’s basketball coach Jim O’Brien more than $2.4 million for his wrongful firing in 2004, an appeals court ordered Thursday.
The 10th District Court of Appeals also ruled O’Brien should not receive an additional $1.3 million that he had said he was owed by the university.
In the majority ruling, Judges Donna Bowman and G. Gary Tyack affirmed a decision by the Ohio Court of Claims. Judge Judith L. French dissented.
University attorneys had argued O’Brien committed a material breach of his contract and shouldn’t receive any money. The university has 45 days to appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court, which can elect not to hear the appeal.
O’Brien, the head coach of the Buckeyes from 1998-2004, was fired after revealing to then-Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger that he had loaned a recruit $6,000.
Ohio State said in a statement it was disappointed in the ruling and is considering an appeal.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Kentucky’s Crawford has knee surgery
Kentucky guard Joe Crawford underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee but should be ready when practice begins Oct. 14. Crawford, a senior, averaged 14 points for the Wildcats last season.
State District Judge Richard Moore III also sentenced 20-year-old DeAnthony Ford to 10 years for aggravated battery in a shooting two days before the one that killed the 19-year-old Francis, who was home visiting his mother in Baton Rouge, La., on Mother’s Day weekend when he was shot and killed while riding in a car May 13, 2006. Francis was the starting point guard for USC his freshman year.
NBA
Bucks match Miami’s offer for Bell
Against Charlie Bell’s wishes, the Milwaukee Bucks matched an offer sheet worth $18.5 million over five years that the restricted free-agent guard signed with the Miami Heat on Monday.
“The sun will shine here just as it does in Miami,” Bucks general manager Larry Harris said.
Bell averaged a career-high 13.5 points last year.
FOOTNOTES
Roddick to open Davis Cup semifinal
American Andy Roddick will face Sweden’s Joachim Johansson, who has been sidelined eight months by a shoulder injury, in today’s opening singles match of the Davis Cup semifinals in Goteborg, Sweden.
The draw also pitted top Swede Thomas Johansson against James Blake in the second singles match on Scandinavium Arena’s fast indoor carpet.
In Saturday’s doubles, Simon Aspelin will team with Jonas Bjorkman against the top-ranked Bob and Mike Bryan. In Sunday’s reverse singles, Thomas Johansson plays Roddick and Joachim Johansson faces Blake.
In the other Davis Cup semifinal, defending champion Russia plays Germany.
