Richardson will appeal contract buyout, attorney says

LITTLE ROCK -- Former Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson intends to appeal the university's decision to buy out his contract, his attorney said Monday.

Arkansas bought out the remaining six years of Richardson's contract on Friday. The announcement came six days after Richardson had publicly said: "If they go ahead and pay me my money, they can take the job tomorrow."

Chancellor John A. White, who consulted with Athletic Director Frank Broyles before Richardson was bought out, said the ex-coach had until noon Monday to appeal to system President Alan Sugg. Richardson's attorney, John Walker, said he did not believe there was deadline.

Walker wrote letters to Sugg and White, the university said. The content of the letters were not released. The school said they pertained to a personnel matter and could be exempt from state Freedom of Information Act.

The university said it might release the letters later.

"Mr. Richardson ... did intend to seek review after being fully and completely informed of the nondiscriminatory reasons for the university's decision," Walker said. "He wanted to know what Dr. Sugg's involvement in the decision-making process was.

"Dr. Sugg, as the reviewer, would be unbiased, and he would at least stand in the way of arbitrary, capricious, discriminatory or punitive action being taken by Chancellor White or Mr. Broyles toward Mr. Richardson," Walker said.

An appeal to Sugg was seen as a prerequisite for possible legal action by Richardson against the university.

Sugg was not available Monday, his office said.

Walker characterized Richardson's departure from Arkansas as a termination, not a mutual ending of the coach's contract.

The school said it "concluded" Richardson's employment at Arkansas after he refused to resign.

Richardson said Thursday that he wanted to remain as coach. Walker said Monday that White was wrong to assume Richardson wanted his contract to be bought out.