Valvano era nears end at N.C. State

RALEIGH, N.C. Given no chance of keeping his job, basketballcoach Jim Valvano was trying to work out a financial settlement toend his career at North Carolina State, his lawyer said Tuesday.

"It appears that the option of him staying on as coach is nolonger available," attorney Woody Webb said.

Asked if Valvano had given up the fight for his job, Webb said:"I don't know that it's fair to say that we've given up. It's beenmade abundantly clear to us that they are not going to entertain thatidea. But there are people in the Wolfpack Club and elsewhere whoare continuing to work for Jim."

Webb said a court fight would be "the only way I know of" tokeep Valvano's job, but he also noted that the coach would "rather beon the basketball court than in court."

Webb said his client appeared to accept the fact he wouldn't becoaching the Wolfpack next season.

"He just said, `If it's impossible for me to stay on here, thenI guess we'll have to focus on a financial settlement,' " Webb said."He's talking with his financial people to come up with figures thatmight be agreeable."

Asked whether N.C. State had increased a $100,000 offer madeseveral weeks ago, Webb said, "They have not, in essence, but theyhave indicated a softening of posture."

Still a problem for State is a $500,000 buyout clause the schoolmust pay Valvano if he is fired without cause.

The contract also calls for Valvano to pay the school $500,000if he leaves to take another Division I or professional coaching job.

Valvano, who has coached the Wolfpack the last 10 years, ledNorth Carolina State to a stunning victory over heavily favoredHouston in the 1983 NCAA championship.

Since January, however, he and the basketball program have beenthe targets of controversy. State was placed on two years' NCAAprobation last fall for violations involving the sale of sneakers andtickets, although Valvano was never accused of any wrongdoing.

Recently, there were allegations of point-shaving involvingformer Wolfpack players. Valvano came under increased pressure whenformer player Charles Shackleford, now with the New Jersey Nets,admitted accepting loans while playing at N.C. State - an NCAAviolation that could cost the school up to $1 million in postseasonrevenue.

Last week, the N.C. State Board of Trustees voted 9-3 to ask itsattorneys to find a way to remove Valvano. On Monday, the universitywas given permission by the UNC board of governors to sue Valvano forbreach of contract, if necessary.

Webb, however, didn't think the school would take that route.

"It is less likely than last night that they'll sue, at leastthat's the way I read it," he said.

Webb said he still hasn't been successful in getting the boardto meet with Valvano.