Gophers' Haskins Steps Down

Clem Haskins, under pressure from allegations of academic fraud in the University of Minnesota basketball program, agreed today to a $1.5 million buyout.

University President Mark Yudof said investigators have found no evidence since the scandal broke in March that links Haskins to academic fraud. But Yudof called it "extremely likely" that fraud did occur and said a change was necessary to restore confidence in the university.

"It is clear on his watch substantial, numerous violations of our academic code did occur," Yudof said at a news conference. "We thought it's time for a management change."

Haskins will step down June 30, three years before his contract was to expire.

The settlement will be paid by the university's men's athletic program. Haskins compiled a 240-165 record in 13 seasons, including a trip to the Final Four in 1997.

University officials said they would begin searching for a permanent or interim coach immediately.

Haskins has been under pressure since March when accusations about the program first broke. The coach has maintained he had no knowledge of wrongdoing. Phone calls to his suburban Minneapolis house this afternoon went unanswered.

The investigation began after the Saint Paul Pioneer Press reported in March that Jan Gangelhoff, a former office manager in the academic counseling unit, said she did more than 400 pieces of course work for at least 20 basketball players from 1993 to 1998.

The investigation widened to include accusations of improper payments, travel irregularities and improper relationships between the team and university police investigating possible crimes involving players.

Interim reports from investigators make it "extremely likely there will be numerous findings of academic fraud, primarily connected to the writing of papers for students," Yudof said.

Though no evidence links Haskins to fraud, "it is clear that public confidence in the academic integrity of the University has been eroded by the allegations. In order to restore that public confidence, a change in leadership is warranted," Yudof said.

He said Haskins established an "enviable record" as the Gophers' head coach.

"He has communicated to his players the goals of playing hard, working hard to achieve career goals, respecting others including opponents and becoming honorable men," Yudof said. "The university is grateful for the 13 years of service Coach Haskins has provided, and we wish him a future of success and good health."

lem Haskins will step down as coach of the Gophers. (AP)

Haskins' fate apparently was decided after two critical meetings within 24 hours at his home. He met Tuesday for three hours with independent investigators Michael Glazier and Donald Lewis. On Wednesday, Haskins and Zamansky met with Yudof and university lead counsel Mark Rotenberg.

Reaction from Haskins' peers was sorrow.

"Today I feel that the Big Ten has lost a very good coach and a friend," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "I wish him nothing but the best in his future plans."

Jim Dutcher, who resigned as Minnesota coach in 1986 after three of his players were arrested on suspicion of rape, said he knows how hard it is to leave a program.

"You never take joy in anyone else's misery and I know Clem is a very proud guy and I know he took pride in his program so I know this hurts him."

Jim Lord, an attorney for several people who have alleged wrongdoing in Minnesota athletics, called the buyout "bad public policy" without considering a challenge to Haskins' contract.

"He orchestrated the scandal and in return they stuffed his pocket so full of money he has to waddle out of Williams Arena," Lord said.

State Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, also said he was disappointed at the buyout.

"If someone's innocent of wrongdoing don't get rid of them period," Marty said. "But if they did something wrong, paying a million and a half bucks to push him out of the way is really unfortunate. It sends a bad signal."

Haskins had three years left on a 10-year contract he signed in 1994, retroactive to the 1992-93 season, that contained provisions that several legal experts have described as rare for college coaches.

The contract ensured Haskins about $423,000 even if the university could prove a just-cause firing, and the terms would have made that process difficult and slow. If Haskins were terminated without cause, the contract entitled him to about $1.3 million plus several hundred thousand dollars in benefits.

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