Wednesday, November 6, 1996
BASKETBALL:
Coach
given ‘ultimatum’ to
quit or be terminatedBy Brad Zucker
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
UCLA men’s basketball coach Jim Harrick is expected to resign at
a 2 p.m. press conference Wednesday in the Morgan Center.
Local media reported that Harrick was given an ultimatum to
either resign or be fired.
Members of UCLA Sports Information confirmed that Harrick would
be resigning, but refused to give any additional comment other than
to say that "this will be the biggest sports story in a long
time."
The surprising announcement will come almost a month after the
completion of a Pac-10 investigation into the sale of Harrick’s
1991 Chevy Blazer to the sister of highly-touted recruit Baron
Davis. At the time, the league’s assistant commissioner, Jim
Muldoon, stated that "there weren’t any NCAA violations in the
transaction, and the critical factor in the determination was that
the car was sold at the fair market value."
Local media have suggested a variety of reasons for Harrick’s
likely departure, ranging from further recruiting violations to
expense report irregularities.
UCLA athletic director Pete Dalis hinted at the Oct. 9 press
conference that internal sanctions were a possibility.
"There have been no sanctions as of yet, and these matters are
typically discussed with Chancellor (Charles) Young," Dalis said.
"In as much as there were no violations, I told Jim that he should
have come forward."
Whether or not there is a connection between Harrick’s handling
of the Davis situation and his impending resignation, the news of
his departure will undoubtedly send shock waves throughout the
world of college sports.
The second-winningest coach in UCLA history, Harrick has led the
Bruins to NCAA appearances in each of his eight seasons at the
helm, including the national championship in 1995. Additionally,
all of Harrick’s teams have won 20 or more games.
In keeping with the period of silence leading up to the
completion of the recent Pac-10 investigation, Bruin players and
assistant coaches were tight-lipped on the eve of today’s press
conference.
"I’ve got no comment," senior point guard Cameron Dollar said.
"Ask me tomorrow."
When contacted on Tuesday evening, Davis, the nation’s top point
guard prospect said that he had not expected Harrick to leave.
"No, I didn’t know … not at all. I’m sad. I’m really not in
the mood to answer questions."
Campus News Bulletin from the desk of Chancellor Young