Ohio assistant wrestling coach Kyle Hansen was reinstated last week. He was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated last August and eventually pleaded no contest to a charge of having control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
He was placed on paid administrative leave until for the duration of his legal proceedings.
Kirby Hocutt, the director of athletics, said Hansen had fulfilled his legal obligations as well as some unknown requirement to appease the university.
During his time on leave, he proved a convenient fall guy as the university faced more and more outrage over its alcohol policy with the athletic department. His offense warrants punishment, but when compared to the Frank Solich case, the obvious double standard stands out.
Solich's much publicized and under-punished offenses were a black eye to Ohio University, but even as Hocutt had a chance to show what Hansen has done to redeem himself, the athletic department hides the information. This is the kind of suspicious and underhanded behavior that fosters resentment and disappointment.
In articles and press releases, OU has done everything it could to avoid looking like it created a double standard here, saying they evaluate each case on its own merits. And yet, they will not disclose those merits, leading to the conclusion that they merely used this case to look like they had some sort of policy, instead of just enforcing when it seems convenient.
Consistency is one preferred route to handling related incidences. If a special circumstance situation arises, open and honest communication is the most effective technique used to maintain trust between administrators and the student body. Quick answers, and in some retrospect, no answers, leave it up to us to decide.
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OU administrators should value consistency, communication in handling of offenses
