Richardson Not Fired on Racial Grounds: A federal appeals court has ruled against Nolan Richardson in his lawsuit claiming that Arkansas racially discriminated against him by firing him in 2002. The court ruled that the university had already decided to fire Richardson based on a comment he made in February 2002 that the school could buy out his contract. School officials interpreted that comment to mean that Richardson did not believe he could win with the Razorbacks, which was a negative image they did not want to perpetuate. The team had been struggling that season. Richardson led Arkansas to a national title in 1994.
A day later, Richardson blasted the university and included several overt criticisms of the university. He said the school treated Richardson differently than other coaches because he was black. But the appeals court said those comments did not factor into the university’s ultimate decision, which was already near completion before Richardson lambasted Arkansas. [6/08/06]
