Kevin Ollie, who was fired as men’s basketball coach at the University of Connecticut, is contesting the university's decision was made with "just cause" and said he will "work vigorously to defend my honor."

UConn said in the fall it had hired a law firm and was conducting an internal investigation after receiving allegations about violations that were not specified.

Ollie's firing is with cause, UConn said, meaning the university does not believe it is obligated to play the remaining five years on a seven-year $18 million contract.

"The University of Connecticut, which has been my home and my family since I was 18 years of age, has decided to initiate the procedures to terminate my employment for cause, which I am contesting," Ollie said in a statement to ESPN.

To read Ollie's complete statement, click here.

“The University of Connecticut has initiated disciplinary procedures to terminate the employment of Head Men’s Basketball Coach Kevin Ollie for just cause,” the university said in a statement. “The University will have no further comment on the matter until the completion of both the University’s disciplinary process and the ongoing NCAA investigation.”

The Huskies went 14-18 this season. Ollie, a former star player for UConn who graduated in 1995, guided the Huskies to the national championship in his second season as head coach in 2014.

Click here to sign up for Daily Voice's free daily emails and news alerts.