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Harrick refuses to answer questions about URI allegations

Trouble seems to follow Jim Harrick wherever he goes. AP

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Embattled Georgia coach Jim Harrick refused to talk Sunday about allegations made by a former employee at Rhode Island that he had grades changed and arranged for boosters to pay players while he was coach of the Rams.

The latest accusations against Harrick come from a December deposition in a sexual harassment suit field by Christine King, who worked for him in 1997 and 1998, according to The Providence (R.I.) Journal.

"We have put this behind us. We are focusing on nothing but basketball," Harrick said after his 25th-ranked Bulldogs beat South Carolina 60-55 in overtime on Sunday. "We forgot the past, we're thinking about the future. Today is the first day of the rest of our lives."

Former Georgia player Tony Cole has accused Harrick's program of giving extra benefits to him and helping him commit academic improprieties. The school and the NCAA are investigating. Jim Harrick Jr., an assistant to his father at both schools, has been suspended by Georgia and told his contract will not be renewed.

The allegations are similar to ones that arose in King's deposition at Rhode Island, where Harrick coached from 1997 to 1999.

In her sworn statement, King accuses Harrick of successfully lobbying to have grades changed for Luther Clay and Lamar Odom, who currently plays for the Los Angeles Clippers.

King also said Harrick arranged for players to get cars, housing and money from Rhode Island boosters.

Team managers wrote term papers for several players that King would type up, according to the deposition.

Rhode Island paid King $45,000 in exchange for her dropping her lawsuit. The school also admitted no guilt.

The school began investigating the allegations last month, and has hired a consultant who specializes in NCAA investigations to help with the probe, spokeswoman Linda Acciardo said.

Georgia isn't the only school facing problems in March.

Fresno State, the regular-season champions of the Western Athletic Conference, pulled itself out of postseason play because of academic fraud.

Villanova is rotating the suspension of 12 players accused of making unauthorized telephone calls.

And St. Bonaventure's players boycotted the Bonnies' last two games of the regular season after the Atlantic 10 Conference stripped them of six league victories for using an ineligible player.

 

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