Rhode Island, Harrick Disagree Over Status Of Contract Negotiations

It seemed like a done deal only a couple of days ago, but now confusion reigns over whether former UCLA basketball coach Jim Harrick will take over at Rhode Island.

Harrick, fired last year for lying on an expense account, said Friday he has a contract offer from Rhode Island, but school officials disputed that.

“I’ve got a contract in my hand and I think by this weekend there’ll be a decision made,” Harrick told ESPN Radio.

Rhode Island officials acknowledged that no other candidates are being considered and no interviews are scheduled. But they said president Robert Carothers had not decided whether to offer the job to Harrick.

“When he was here, he was given a copy of contract language so he could look at it for the fine print so if we got to the point of offering him the job he would have it in hand,” sports information director Mike Ballweg said. “It’s not an offer. It’s not signed by anyone.”

Linda Acciardo, director of Rhode Island’s news bureau, agreed.

“No decision has been made, and no offer has been made,” Acciardo said.