Kevin Ollie addresses speculation he could leave for NBA gig
Hoping to douse the speculation over whether he’ll leave for an NBA job this spring, UConn coach Kevin Ollie released a carefully worded statement Wednesday reaffirming his commitment to the Huskies.
Ollie insisted he will not pursue another job this spring but stopped well short of guaranteeing he’d be at UConn next season.
“As I have said many times, I am proud and honored to be the head basketball coach at the University of Connecticut and I have no plans to pursue other opportunities,” Ollie said. “We are already excited about next season and I am looking forward to preparing our team to be the best we can be on the court, in the classroom, and in our community.”
Ollie’s statement came only hours before Oklahoma City formally parted ways with Scott Brooks. My Yahoo Sports colleague Adrian Wojnarowski wrote last week that the Thunder were still evaluating Brooks and that Ollie and Florida coach Billy Donovan were both potential candidates should the job open.
Ollie is potentially a good fit for Oklahoma City because of the respect he earned during his brief stint there as a player at the end of his career. Thunder general manager Sam Presti acquired Ollie in 2009 in hopes that the hard-working 36-year-old journeyman guard would serve as a mentor for young stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Presti told Yahoo Sports in 2012 that he was so impressed by Ollie’s approach to the game at the end of the 2009-10 season that he took the veteran to lunch to discuss his post-basketball goals. What Presti learned was Ollie had interest in a coaching or front office position with the Thunder but his first choice was to return to his alma mater and coach under Jim Calhoun.
Ollie could have to make a similar decision again this spring if Presti decides to make him an offer — and his statement Wednesday leaves him plenty of wiggle room to go in whichever direction he chooses.
In reality, Wednesday’s statement was likely aimed at opposing coaches who will use the interest Ollie has received from NBA teams as a way to negatively recruit against the Huskies. This statement is Ollie’s way of speaking directly to recruits and telling them he intends to remain at UConn even if he still leaves himself an out should the job of his dreams come along.
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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
