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One year knocked off punishment
Published on Friday, Feb 01, 2008
From Beacon Journal wire services
Jim O'Brien, fired by Ohio State and essentially banned from coaching by the NCAA for paying a recruit, can return to the college sidelines after an appeal changed his punishment.
An NCAA ruling on March 10, 2006, all but prevented any colleges from hiring O'Brien until May 2009.
But in a decision released Thursday, an appeals committee changed the start date of the sanctions against the coach, making him free to return to coaching effective March 10.
''I am pleased that my 31/2-year battle with the NCAA has finally come to an end and resulted in victory,'' O'Brien said in a release issued through his Columbus attorneys. ''I have felt all along that the penalty imposed upon me by the (NCAA's) Committee on Infractions was both excessive and unjust. . . . If I choose to coach again, I can do so without restriction.''
O'Brien has dabbled in broadcasting since his dismissal.
He already has won a lawsuit against Ohio State for wrongfully firing him and was awarded $2.2 million plus interest. The university has appealed that decision to the Ohio Supreme Court, which has yet to decide if it will hear the case.
O'Brien was a well-respected member of the coaching fraternity until his firing on June 8, 2004. Then-Ohio State Athletic Director Andy Geiger said he was firing O'Brien for giving a 7-foot-3 Serbian recruit, Aleksandar Radojevic, a $6,000 loan in 1999 for family expenses to help the family during a family illness.
O'Brien stressed he gave the player the money out of humanitarian concerns — Serbia was then involved in a war — and said the money did not influence Radojevic to later sign a letter of intent to play for the Buckeyes.
Colleges: Honoring Schembechler
• A Michigan state House committee approved a bill that would designate the date of the University of Michigan's first home football game each season Bo Schembechler Day. The bill now goes to the House floor. Schembechler, a Barberton native, coached the Wolverines from 1969 through 1989. His Michigan teams won 194 games. Schembechler died in 2006.
• Washington has chosen former NFL assistant Ed Donatell as its defensive coordinator.
• Kansas State assistant basketball coach Dalonte Hill was arrested early Thursday on suspicion of driving under the influence, hours after the team upset No. 2 Kansas 84-75.
• Jon Tenuta, defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech the past six seasons, joined Notre Dame's staff as assistant head coach for defense.
MLB: Feliz, Phillies complete deal
• Free-agent third baseman Pedro Feliz and the Philadelphia Phillies completed an $8.5 million, two-year contract. With the option and performance bonuses, the contract could be worth up to $15 million over three years. Feliz hit .253 with 20 home runs and 72 RBI for the San Francisco Giants last season.
• Brad Wilkerson and the Seattle Mariners agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract.
• Free-agent outfielder Luis Gonzalez and the Florida Marlins reached a preliminary agreement on a $2 million, one-year contract. Gonzalez must pass a physical for the deal to be completed.
• Right-hander Matt Belisle agreed to a one-year, $1.25 million contract, leaving the Cincinnati Reds with one player left in arbitration. Second baseman Brandon Phillips is the only Reds player left in arbitration. Phillips asked for $4.2 million, and the Reds countered with a $2.7 million offer.
• Johnny Estrada and the Washington Nationals agreed to a $1.25 million, one-year contract, providing an experienced catcher to back up Paul Lo Duca, who is recovering from knee surgery.
• Morgan Ensberg agreed to a minor-league contract with the New York Yankees, giving the team another contender to play first base. Ensberg would get a $1.75 million, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster and would have a chance to earn $2.25 million more in performance bonuses. He would get the full amount if he has 525 plate appearances.
Soccer: Beckham will wait for 100
• David Beckham will have to wait for his 100th international appearance. The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder was omitted when Fabio Capello picked his first roster as England's coach.
• Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell unveiled a $47 million state funding package to aid in the construction of a soccer stadium in a Philadelphia suburb, the latest step in an effort to attract a Major League Soccer franchise.
High schools: New division wanted
• Ohio's largest high schools could end up in a super-sized division for state tournaments as a way of leveling the playing field for smaller schools. Although an Ohio High School Athletic Association subcommittee will look at all sports when it meets in Columbus today to discuss the idea, many fans believe it will address in particular the inequity in the football playoffs.
Correction
Anthony Parker plays football at the University of Tennessee. His sport was identified incorrectly Thursday in the sports news roundup. A copy editor erred.
From Beacon Journal wire services
Get the full article here.
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