Former Buckeye Coach O'Brien a possible hire by Rutgers

It is being alleged that former Ohio State basketball coach has been hired to take the job at Rutgers University.  An article on the New York Daily News that you can find here states that the deal is already done and an announcement will occur shortly.  I am happy to see Coach O'Brien get another shot at coaching.  I always considered him to be a great man and a great coach and was shocked when the issues arose that lead to his firing.

I really think he will go a great job for Rutgers and with the recruiting hotbed of New York City a short distance from Rutgers, they are really only a great coach away from success.  People forget how good O'Brien was and I think part of the continued angry response against him by Buckeye fans is a remnant of just how much we respected him until the scandal.

I think this post by John Porentas sums up the situation quite well.

I remember being quite shocked when the news hit of the loan scandal.  After cooling down a bit I believe that an honorable man tried to do an honorable thing and almost took down a university's sports program in the process.  O'Brien's first thought was to resign but was talked out of it by Andy Geiger who told him to get advice and protect himself.  When they both met again they were both dictated to by legal council and both had roles to play.  Geiger played the role of the no nonsense AD and O'Brien played the victim.  Geiger had no choice but to fire O'Brien because of the national perception of the university in the wake of the Clarett scandal.  The program couldn't possibly keep O'Brien around for the years that it would take to get through the NCAA investigation process as the intense scrutiny would cause distractions the school didn't need.  My guess is Geiger believed O'Brien's intent but his hands were tied.  O'Brien ultimately did the sensible thing and didn't resign so that he could protect his financial claim.  He'd never admit it publicly but I guess that Andy Geiger was privately happy O'Brien won the lawsuit.

So I wish Jim O'Brien well if he does happen to get the job at Rutgers.  6 years has passed since he coached at Ohio State but I have many fond memories of his time here.  Sadly the thing people remember most about his tenure today happened when he wasn't even on the court.  You know, it starts out something like, "I can assure you that you'll be proud of our young people, in the classroom, in the community ...."  My bet is Rutgers fans will ultimately have the same sort of pride about Jim O'Brien's players.