University of Arkansas upholds basketball coach Nolan Richardson's dismissal

Jet, April 8, 2002

Nolan Richardson's dismissal as men's head basketball coach of the University of Arkansas was recently upheld by the school's top executive.

On March 1, Arkansas bought out Richardson's contract, and within a week, the former coach and his attorney, John Walker, requested that university president B. Alan Sugg review Richardson's firing, in hopes of regaining his position.

Sugg said he reviewed 80 pages of material submitted by Richardson and interviewed a number of people while doing his own research. In the end, he agreed the coach should be replaced after 17 seasons.

"Based on my review, I am firmly convinced that the termination of your employment agreement by (Chancellor) John White in consultation with (athletic director) Frank Broyles was legal and fair," Sugg wrote in a letter to Richardson. "I find no evidence of discriminatory conduct or motive in the making of this decision by John White and Frank Broyles."

Richardson and his attorney said a lawsuit is possible. "We're not going to move in haste. Well consider all options carefully and in due course," said Richardson's lawyer. "It'll be awhile before we choose to do anything. We won't make any announcement about it. We'll just do it if we do it."

During a February 25 news conference, Richardson openly criticized the media and fans. He also charged that he was treated differently from other coaches because he is Black.

The school felt these remarks were damaging and decided to buy out the last six years of the seven-year, $1.03 million-per-year deal. However, a buyout clause in Richardson's pact allowed the university to buy out the contract for $500,000 a year without giving a reason.

In 22 years as a head coach, including five years at Tulsa, Richardson has a 508-206 record. While coaching at Arkansas, he won the 1994 NCAA title.