COLUMBUS, OHIO ? The Ohio State athletic director who fired Jim O’Brien testified Tuesday that the basketball coach acknowledged he violated NCAA rules by giving a $6,000 loan to a potential recruit.

O’Brien denies the charge made by retired AD Andy Geiger, saying he never told Geiger he broke NCAA bylaws. O’Brien argues the loan of his own money was not a violation because he knew Aleksandar Radojevic, a 7-foot-3 prospect from Serbia, already had lost his amateur status by playing professionally.

David Swank, the former chairman of the NCAA’s committee on infractions, later testified that he agreed O’Brien did not break any rules when he gave the money to Radojevic.

O’Brien, who coached the Buckeyes to a 133-88 record that included two Big Ten titles and a Final Four berth in seven seasons, is suing in the Ohio Court of Claims for $3.5 million in back pay and benefits.