Biancardi Fired

[Big D]

Channel 7 just reported that WSU let Coach B go today.

[Spicy Toast]

Looking forward to a great season with our new coaching staff

[wsu97]

March 13, 2006

CONTACT: Bob Noss [phone]

Joint statement by Wright State University and head coach of WSU men’s basketball, Paul Biancardi

Paul Biancardi will no longer be employed as head coach of men’s basketball at Wright State University. As a result of The Ohio State University Public Infractions Report by the NCAA, Wright State University believes it is in everyone’s best interest for the coach to move on to other opportunities.

A national search for a new head men’s basketball coach will begin immediately.

[Raider Country]

I feel bad for our players and assistant coaches, but this is the right move for WSU.

[Wolf]

I hope our next coach can keep most of our current players. I don't want to go through another rebuilding process again. It has been frustrating watching Raider hoops for the last 10-15 years. This will be our 5th coach.

[wsu97]

Biancardi out as Wright State coach
By Kyle Nagel

Dayton Daily News

FAIRBORN | Paul Biancardi is no longer the men's basketball coach at Wright State University, the school said Monday. It is unclear whether Biancardi was fired or resigned.

The announcement came three days after an NCAA committee declared he had violated several NCAA rules.

Biancardi, who went 42-44 in three seasons at Wright State, handled money meant for a recruit and had knowledge and involvement in improper benefits and living arrangements for another player while an assistant at Ohio State University, the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions ruled Friday.

He was forbidden from recruiting of any kind until Oct. 1, 2007.

The committee released its report against OSU, former coach Jim O'Brien and Biancardi on Friday, ending an investigation and enforcement period that began with O'Brien's firing by Ohio State on June 8, 2004.

After his teams went 14-14 and 15-15 in his first two seasons, Biancardi led the Raiders to a 13-15 record and a first-round exit in the Horizon League tournament this season.

"As a result of The Ohio State University Public Infractions Report by the NCAA, Wright State University believes it is in everyone's best interest for the coach to move on to other opportunities," Wright State said in a statement.

www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/wsu/daily/0313biancardiweb.html

[raider fan]

In a weird way I'm excited about bringing in a new coach. How about the guy from Winthrop, Marshall I believe is his name. All he does is win and get his team in the NCAA tournament.

I think he might have been one of the finalist with Biancardi.

[wsu97]

Updated: March 13, 2006, 6:28 PM ET
Biancardi departs Wright State by 'mutual agreement'Associated Press


FAIRBORN, Ohio -- Wright State coach Paul Biancardi stepped down from his job Monday, days after the NCAA barred him from recruiting for violating rules when he was an assistant at Ohio State.

"It was a mutual agreement," said Bob Noss, Wright State's sports information director.

The NCAA found that Biancardi passed $6,000 from former Ohio State coach Jim O'Brien to a recruit's family in 1999 and that both coaches acted unethically by not reporting their conduct to the school.

In a ruling Friday, the NCAA prohibited Biancardi from recruiting until Oct. 1, 2007, with the stipulation that if he did, Wright State would face NCAA sanctions.

Biancardi, 43, was hired at Wright State in April 2003 and led the Raiders to a 14-14 record in the Horizon League last season. Wright State finished this season with a 13-15 record and lost in the first round of the conference tournament to Illinois-Chicago.

sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2367206

[wsu97]

Biancardi gets payment from WSU
By Marc Katz

Dayton Daily News

FAIRBORN | Wright State University will pay Paul Biancardi a lump sum of $165,000 this week as part of an agreement signed Monday ending his tenure as the school's men's basketball coach.

The monetary value is about the same as the salary covering one year on his original five-year contract. Biancardi had two years remaining on his contract when WSU and its coach severed ties.

Biancardi's final day as a WSU employee was Sunday.

The document ending Biancardi's employment was titled "Separation and Involuntary Employment Termination Agreement."

In addition to the $165,000 payment, Biancardi and his family will retain health insurance coverage through the end of this month. He also was required to "surrender" all university property no later than Tuesday, including his automobile, cell phone, telephone calling cards, keys and laptop computer.

Biancardi had already taken most of his personal belongings out of his Stetzer Pavilion office before the agreement was made official.

The agreement was completed Monday following an NCAA investigation report released Friday. It found Biancardi guilty of recruiting and extra benefits violations while he was an assistant coach at Ohio State. Biancardi was hired three years ago, more than a year before any of the allegations came to light.

The agreement includes a confidentiality clause that says neither the former coach nor WSU can discuss the terms of the agreement and neither side can make "derogatory statements" about the other.

WSU provost Dr. David Hopkins, who signed the agreement for WSU, noted that the allegations "didn't happen here. We have credibility in our program."

Contact Marc Katz at 225-2157.
www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/wsu/daily/0315wsubb.html