Harrick Intended To Protect Top Players

Jim Harrick admits he was wrong for lying to UCLA officials about a falsified expense report, but says he did so to protect two of his top basketball players.

Harrick was dismissed Wednesday for falsifying an expense report from an Oct. 11 recruiting dinner, then lying about it when questioned by university officials investigating the bill totaling more than $1,000.

Three recruits and current UCLA players Charles O’Bannon, Cameron Dollar, Jelani McCoy, Kris Johnson and Bob Myers attended the dinner. NCAA rules specify that there can only be as many players at such events as there are recruits.

The expense report did not list O’Bannon and Dollar. Harrick lied to protect them, attorney Robert Tanenbaum said Friday.

“You get in a situation where you really want to protect your players. That was the whole situation,” Harrick said in an interview on KABC radio. “I was wrong. I should have been told I was wrong, and I was. Certainly I made a mistake.”

UCLA interim coach Steve Lavin said the NCAA has already granted the school’s request to reinstate O’Bannon and Dollar, suspended for an extra-benefits violation at the dinner.

O’Bannon and Dollar already had reimbursed the school for the dinners they were not entitled to under NCAA regulations. They will not sit out any games.

Harrick suggested there were other ways UCLA could have disciplined him for lying instead of firing him, including a one-game suspension, a fine or probation.

“I made a mistake and I should be punished for that,” he said. “I know something should have happened to me.”

Harrick said he hasn’t been approached with any job offers.

“I’ve been trying to sort out my life,” he said. “I’m going to be fine.”