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I cant see how either side lets this this ends up in court but who knows anymore with this flow show. Going to court is too bad image-wise and ugly for either side. UC needs to wrap it up quickly and move on. Cause is ambiguous enough that they can puff to JB’s lawyer how they have multiple examples of behavior that amount to “cause” in order to negotiate down the buyout. JB at the end of the day isn’t going to want to push this into court unless UC tries to get out of this without any payout. Assuming he wants to work again in DI coaching he’s going to want this to end with a mutually agreed parting of the ways and a payout that he can explain with his own narrative to any prospective employers. If he doesn’t do that and pushes this into litigation not many schools are going to want a guy who goes around suing his employer and airing all the dirty laundry in a court proceeding and facts will come out that make him look bad. I think this is all posturing and positioning to some end game of a settlement and something less than the full buyout. The question is how much will be paid and how quickly it gets done. UC doesn’t want it to drag on because the damage it does to the program and recruiting and delayed hiring of a new coach.

I am getting frustrated that certain media outlets continue to back Brannen and undermine UC. Especially when UC’s success is pivotal for them.

I understand you might have a friendship or relation with John Brannen but blaming the AD or telling us both sides are wrong isn’t ok. The only reason this is taking a long time is because UC had to follow a process to fire him for cause. The clown show coach brought this on UC. Blame Bohn for the hire and the contract but stop putting this on the current administration.

It is likely chimerical to believe that UC won't have to pay a substantial buyout to Brannen; meanwhile, the basketball program is dying on the vine.

(04-05-2021 02:59 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  I am getting frustrated that certain media outlets continue to back Brannen and undermine UC. Especially when UC’s success is pivotal for them.

I understand you might have a friendship or relation with John Brannen but blaming the AD or telling us both sides are wrong isn’t ok. The only reason this is taking a long time is because UC had to follow a process to fire him for cause. The clown show coach brought this on UC. Blame Bohn for the hire and the contract but stop putting this on the current administration.

Agree with you 100%. I don't see really what the AD could've done differently other than pay the buyout which they don't have the money for or continue down the avenue drawn out in the contract. It's a terrible contract that gives way too much control to a guy whose other option in Spring/summer 2019 was to coach at NKU in front of 1500 people.

(04-05-2021 03:19 PM)skylinecat Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 02:59 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  I am getting frustrated that certain media outlets continue to back Brannen and undermine UC. Especially when UC’s success is pivotal for them.

I understand you might have a friendship or relation with John Brannen but blaming the AD or telling us both sides are wrong isn’t ok. The only reason this is taking a long time is because UC had to follow a process to fire him for cause. The clown show coach brought this on UC. Blame Bohn for the hire and the contract but stop putting this on the current administration.

Agree with you 100%. I don't see really what the AD could've done differently other than pay the buyout which they don't have the money for or continue down the avenue drawn out in the contract. It's a terrible contract that gives way too much control to a guy whose other option in Spring/summer 2019 was to coach at NKU in front of 1500 people.

The other alternative was simply to ride with Brannen for another year or two. Not ideal, but if saving money is really the goal, not out of the question. Alas, that horse has left the barn.

(04-05-2021 03:28 PM)Former Lurker Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 03:19 PM)skylinecat Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 02:59 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  I am getting frustrated that certain media outlets continue to back Brannen and undermine UC. Especially when UC’s success is pivotal for them.

I understand you might have a friendship or relation with John Brannen but blaming the AD or telling us both sides are wrong isn’t ok. The only reason this is taking a long time is because UC had to follow a process to fire him for cause. The clown show coach brought this on UC. Blame Bohn for the hire and the contract but stop putting this on the current administration.

Agree with you 100%. I don't see really what the AD could've done differently other than pay the buyout which they don't have the money for or continue down the avenue drawn out in the contract. It's a terrible contract that gives way too much control to a guy whose other option in Spring/summer 2019 was to coach at NKU in front of 1500 people.

The other alternative was simply to ride with Brannen for another year or two. Not ideal, but if saving money is really the goal, not out of the question. Alas, that horse has left the barn.

Saving money doesn't matter if your revenue goes down to match the savings...keeping Brannen now would likely affect our ability to sell tickets, which the AD absolutely cannot afford.

(04-05-2021 03:28 PM)Former Lurker Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 03:19 PM)skylinecat Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 02:59 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  I am getting frustrated that certain media outlets continue to back Brannen and undermine UC. Especially when UC’s success is pivotal for them.

I understand you might have a friendship or relation with John Brannen but blaming the AD or telling us both sides are wrong isn’t ok. The only reason this is taking a long time is because UC had to follow a process to fire him for cause. The clown show coach brought this on UC. Blame Bohn for the hire and the contract but stop putting this on the current administration.

Agree with you 100%. I don't see really what the AD could've done differently other than pay the buyout which they don't have the money for or continue down the avenue drawn out in the contract. It's a terrible contract that gives way too much control to a guy whose other option in Spring/summer 2019 was to coach at NKU in front of 1500 people.

The other alternative was simply to ride with Brannen for another year or two. Not ideal, but if saving money is really the goal, not out of the question. Alas, that horse has left the barn.

Brannen would be the coach here if he didn’t screw things up.

(04-05-2021 04:09 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  

Exhibit “A” on what I have said about the media.

This entire mess was created by John Brannen because he sucks at coaching young men and his presence as coach is not healthy for the program or the university.

It shouldn’t scare a single coach that does it the right way and it is good at their job. Players should be happy the school is going to bat for them and not their moronic coach.

There are going to players available all spring and summer, good ones too, stop trying to scare UC fans. The right hire will win here because they will be good at their job. The key is finding the right guy after letting this clown go.

(04-05-2021 04:39 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 04:09 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  

Exhibit “A” on what I have said about the media.

This entire mess was created by John Brannen because he sucks at coaching young men and his presence as coach is not healthy for the program or the university.

It shouldn’t scare a single coach that does it the right way and it is good at their job. Players should be happy the school is going to bat for them and not their moronic coach.

There are going to players available all spring and summer, good ones too, stop trying to scare UC fans. The right hire will win here because they will be good at their job. The key is finding the right guy after letting this clown go.

That was your take after listening to that? God love ya, credit to your persistence.

(04-05-2021 12:57 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  I think it will be the other way around. If the things in Justin Williams’ article yesterday are accurate, Brannen could litigate himself out of the college game if he’s not careful. The witness testimony could be a bloodbath.

I wonder if that would be just fine with him, especially if this is where the game is going. Who needs the hassle of pandering to freshmen threatening to transfer and dealing with their families all the time only to be undercut by your AD? $5.25M should hold him and his family over quite well as he looks for a career fit in the NBA or overseas.

As for the next UC coach, well, somebody will take the job. Even lousy money by big-time program standards is pretty good to most folks...

(04-05-2021 02:59 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  I am getting frustrated that certain media outlets continue to back Brannen and undermine UC. Especially when UC’s success is pivotal for them.

I understand you might have a friendship or relation with John Brannen but blaming the AD or telling us both sides are wrong isn’t ok. The only reason this is taking a long time is because UC had to follow a process to fire him for cause. The clown show coach brought this on UC. Blame Bohn for the hire and the contract but stop putting this on the current administration.

Maybe that's on the AD for not developing the right relationships with the media? If we are going to bottom-line (i.e. buck stops here) the player transfers as Brannen's failure to develop the right relationship with the players, it seems reasonable to bottom-line the public criticisms as Cunningham's failure to build the right relationships with the press and fans? Where does that buck stop if not with the AD?

(04-05-2021 05:32 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 02:59 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  I am getting frustrated that certain media outlets continue to back Brannen and undermine UC. Especially when UC’s success is pivotal for them.

I understand you might have a friendship or relation with John Brannen but blaming the AD or telling us both sides are wrong isn’t ok. The only reason this is taking a long time is because UC had to follow a process to fire him for cause. The clown show coach brought this on UC. Blame Bohn for the hire and the contract but stop putting this on the current administration.

Maybe that's on the AD for not developing the right relationships with the media? If we are going to bottom-line (i.e. buck stops here) the player transfers as Brannen's failure to develop the right relationship with the players, it seems reasonable to bottom-line the public criticisms as Cunningham's failure to build the right relationships with the press and fans? Where does that buck stop if not with the AD?

I think is really clear that a bunch of people have pre-existing friendship with John Brannen that go back from is time at NKU and at Marshall. Nothing wrong with that. Long run it makes since if WLW, BCJ, and the Enquirer build relationships and maintain a more unbiased approach with the current administration as they are going to be here next season.

(04-05-2021 05:24 PM)rtaylor Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 04:39 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 04:09 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  

Exhibit “A” on what I have said about the media.

This entire mess was created by John Brannen because he sucks at coaching young men and his presence as coach is not healthy for the program or the university.

It shouldn’t scare a single coach that does it the right way and it is good at their job. Players should be happy the school is going to bat for them and not their moronic coach.

There are going to players available all spring and summer, good ones too, stop trying to scare UC fans. The right hire will win here because they will be good at their job. The key is finding the right guy after letting this clown go.

That was your take after listening to that? God love ya, credit to your persistence.

Exactly. I disagree with Chad plenty of times, but he has every incentive to boost UC whenever possible unless/until it impairs his credibility. It's pretty clear those values are in conflict right now and he's siding with the latter (as he should).

(04-05-2021 05:41 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 05:32 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 02:59 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  I am getting frustrated that certain media outlets continue to back Brannen and undermine UC. Especially when UC’s success is pivotal for them.

I understand you might have a friendship or relation with John Brannen but blaming the AD or telling us both sides are wrong isn’t ok. The only reason this is taking a long time is because UC had to follow a process to fire him for cause. The clown show coach brought this on UC. Blame Bohn for the hire and the contract but stop putting this on the current administration.

Maybe that's on the AD for not developing the right relationships with the media? If we are going to bottom-line (i.e. buck stops here) the player transfers as Brannen's failure to develop the right relationship with the players, it seems reasonable to bottom-line the public criticisms as Cunningham's failure to build the right relationships with the press and fans? Where does that buck stop if not with the AD?

I think is really clear that a bunch of people have pre-existing friendship with John Brannen that go back from is time at NKU and at Marshall. Nothing wrong with that.

Wait I thought he was a monster who doesn't care about his players to the point of nearly torturing them to get better? Seems a bit weird that your version also is that he makes these loyal friends at every stop that stand up for such a "moronic" "clown" who "sucks as a coach" to the point of being "unhealthy for the program and the University" as you objectively describe him.

Quote:Long run it makes since if WLW, BCJ, and the Enquirer build relationships and maintain a more unbiased approach with the current administration as they are going to be here next season.

Press credibility is dying. You seem to define "unbiased" as only opinions that agree with yours. I'm happy to a few taking a stand for their credibility and challenging those in power - especially when it goes against their self-interests (according to you.)

Mars is doing what any good attorney would do for their client. He's looking to get JB as close to the $5M buyout as he can. FWIW, Chad mentioned on one of the podcasts/newscasts that WSU's process to fire Gregg Marshall for cause took about 6 weeks. Not saying it's an apple to an apple but we're beginning week 2 since the investigation announcement on March 26th.

Quote:University of Cincinnati men's basketball coach John Brannen's attorney, Tom Mars, on Monday called the ongoing saga with UC Director of Athletics John Cunningham and the school's athletics department an "avoidable embarrassment to UC Athletics."

"I’m no stranger to disputes between universities and head coaches and complaints of mistreatment by college athletes," Mars told The Enquirer. "In fact, I’ve probably helped more college athletes transfer for those reasons than any lawyer in the country. But I’ve never encountered anything like what’s been going on inside the UC Athletics Department."

Mars said Cunningham's decision Saturday to place Brannen on paid administrative leave indefinitely while Cunningham enlists a team of "independent fact-finders" to help conduct a university review of unspecified allegations made against Brannen and the Bearcats program both "baseless and premature."

"The UC lawyers still haven’t spoken with Coach Brannen, and neither has John Cunningham," Mars said. "What’s more, the gratuitous issuance of a press release announcing Coach Brannen’s suspension with pay was totally uncalled for and only made matters worse for everyone who’s part of the Bearcats’ basketball program.

"I’m hopeful the senior administration of UC will make a course correction before this avoidable embarrassment to UC Athletics ends in a train wreck."

Cunningham declined to comment.

Cunningham, who was hired as Cincinnati's athletic director in December 2019, eight months after Brannen was hired at UC, announced Saturday that Brannen has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the completion of a university review into the program.

Cunningham has not given a timeline for UC's review. Cunningham announced the commencement of the review on March 26.

Popcorn anyone?

(04-05-2021 05:41 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 05:32 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 02:59 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  I am getting frustrated that certain media outlets continue to back Brannen and undermine UC. Especially when UC’s success is pivotal for them.

I understand you might have a friendship or relation with John Brannen but blaming the AD or telling us both sides are wrong isn’t ok. The only reason this is taking a long time is because UC had to follow a process to fire him for cause. The clown show coach brought this on UC. Blame Bohn for the hire and the contract but stop putting this on the current administration.

Maybe that's on the AD for not developing the right relationships with the media? If we are going to bottom-line (i.e. buck stops here) the player transfers as Brannen's failure to develop the right relationship with the players, it seems reasonable to bottom-line the public criticisms as Cunningham's failure to build the right relationships with the press and fans? Where does that buck stop if not with the AD?

I think is really clear that a bunch of people have pre-existing friendship with John Brannen that go back from is time at NKU and at Marshall. Nothing wrong with that. Long run it makes since if WLW, BCJ, and the Enquirer build relationships and maintain a more unbiased approach with the current administration as they are going to be here next season.

If I'm shilling for Brannen, why is it I have said from the start of this mess that he clearly did not handle the season well and the root of the issue is on him as the man running the program?

I am also not about to go to bat for Cunningham if I don't feel as if he handled his end of this situation properly.

Yes I have known Brannen since we were both students at Marshall in the mid 90s. I also have a job to do. A job I was doing when he got here and I'll be doing it when he's gone. I'm loyal to me and providing for my family above all. Everyone here that knows me will back that reality...

(04-05-2021 05:41 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 05:24 PM)rtaylor Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 04:39 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 04:09 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  

Exhibit “A” on what I have said about the media.

This entire mess was created by John Brannen because he sucks at coaching young men and his presence as coach is not healthy for the program or the university.

It shouldn’t scare a single coach that does it the right way and it is good at their job. Players should be happy the school is going to bat for them and not their moronic coach.

There are going to players available all spring and summer, good ones too, stop trying to scare UC fans. The right hire will win here because they will be good at their job. The key is finding the right guy after letting this clown go.

That was your take after listening to that? God love ya, credit to your persistence.

Exactly. I disagree with Chad plenty of times, but he has every incentive to boost UC whenever possible unless/until it impairs his credibility. It's pretty clear those values are in conflict right now and he's siding with the latter (as he should).

Chad's incentive is to boost himself/his brand.

Justin Williams seems to have overtaken Chad in terms of UC basketball insider info and has taken the unbiased (or pro-UC) route. Chad may be getting desperate not to get passed by as the go to guy when in comes to UC basketball insider info.

Ironically, given that he is close friends with Brannen, Chad's insider connections with Cincinnati basketball are almost non-existent since Cronin left. Listen to how much of what he says is just pure speculation. Is it possible that he knows that he's not going to develop connections with JC or the admins (too tight lipped), so he is making a play to win over the next coach by showing how he defended this one?

(04-05-2021 06:15 PM)skyblade Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 05:41 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 05:24 PM)rtaylor Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 04:39 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  

(04-05-2021 04:09 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  

Exhibit “A” on what I have said about the media.

This entire mess was created by John Brannen because he sucks at coaching young men and his presence as coach is not healthy for the program or the university.

It shouldn’t scare a single coach that does it the right way and it is good at their job. Players should be happy the school is going to bat for them and not their moronic coach.

There are going to players available all spring and summer, good ones too, stop trying to scare UC fans. The right hire will win here because they will be good at their job. The key is finding the right guy after letting this clown go.

That was your take after listening to that? God love ya, credit to your persistence.

Exactly. I disagree with Chad plenty of times, but he has every incentive to boost UC whenever possible unless/until it impairs his credibility. It's pretty clear those values are in conflict right now and he's siding with the latter (as he should).

Chad's incentive is to boost himself/his brand.

Justin Williams seems to have overtaken Chad in terms of UC basketball insider info and has taken the unbiased (or pro-UC) route. Chad may be getting desperate not to get passed by as the go to guy when in comes to UC basketball insider info.

Ironically, given that he is close friends with Brannen, Chad's insider connections with Cincinnati basketball are almost non-existent since Cronin left. Listen to how much of what he says is just pure speculation. Is it possible that he knows that he's not going to develop connections with JC or the admins (too tight lipped), so he is making a play to win over the next coach by showing how he defended this one?

I have had a ton of insider info on this situation over the past 3 weeks. I'm just putting it on BCJ, where it makes me money. Giving that info away for free doesn't make much sense. Safe to say you have read me completely wrong on this one...

Keep up the good work Chad. I have no doubt you're working hard to provide accurate information and appreciate the care you take not to mislead or pretend you know when you don't.