Judge: Ohio State improperly fired ex-coach O'Brien ESPN.com news services COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A judge ruled Wednesday that Ohio State improperly fired basketball coach Jim O'Brien in 2004 after university officials learned he had loaned money to a recruit. O'Brien broke his contract by giving the $6,000 loan, but the error was not serious enough to warrant firing, Ohio Court of Claims Judge Joseph T. Clark said, finding in O'Brien's favor in the coach's lawsuit against the university. "Because plaintiff's failure of performance was not material, defendant did not have cause for termination," the judge wrote. He said the university...