If this goes to court, be prepared to discover some real surprises. I doubt it gets that far.

This case is not like any other in memory. The university doesn't want all the dirty linen being aired publicly and neither does our ex-coach. It is in their mutual best interests to settle out of court. The last time we settled out of court that I can remember is A&M's infamous "Ohio" suit against us. IMHO, it was a mistake, but that's a whole different can of worms.

This was essentially my fear all along. That this won't go away and the University keeps getting brought up in a 'negative' light. That this would go to court, mud slinging would go down. Furthering the chaos and the newscycle. OU's reputation as a party school gets thrown around and joked about.

Simple and straight forward:
Can an employee - not a teacher - date a student he has no authority over? I mean, the laws of common sense say don't do that when you're the most visible face of the university, BUT common sense is rarely contractual, is that expressly written?

I'm guessing that answer is no, it is not written. Otherwise, this would be open and shut. There would be no lawsuit. You violated a clause in your contract, regardless if you think it's silly or invasive or your wife doesn't care, you signed it, you violated it. Done. And done. Unfortunately, I think we're gonna end up the ones with egg on our faces. Especially when University lawyers delve into rumors of his drinking and try to pin him with all sorts of stuff that would invoke a morality clause and he is forced to defend himself against it.

I mean, they hold official OU events, Bobcat Caravans with coaches and admins at BREWERIES. I wasn't cup watching, but I'm pretty certain everyone had a beer. Even Julie. So to turn around and say, oh well - THAT is allowed. But you can't drink in your office after games is... gonna be interesting. Unless they have assistants with proof that he was drinking during practice or games, something Sark level.

Like I said months ago, this whole thing just makes me sad. From both sides. I feel for him. I feel for the University that had to deal with the news breaking. I feel bad for the wife. I feel bad for the kids. I feel bad for everyone who keeps having to deal with this.

"Moreover, the presence and consumption of alcohol in University offices and on University property is commonplace at OU."

Most accurate statement in the article, tbh. So true bestie.

They understand contract law, but if the snip from the contract that vaguely mentions “personal and professional misconduct” and doesn’t seem to define it anywhere is the smoking gun, they aren’t relying on contract law. They’re relying on that fact that this America, therefore they have the upper hand as the employer and it’s basically up to Smith to prove his innocence regardless of what is in the contract.

Not to mention that it is known other employees were present and partaking in the activity but yet only he was singled out.

Paying him something, possible. Paying his contractual amount, very unlikely.