Hazzard May Get Laker Job in Front Office

Walt Hazzard, who was fired as UCLA’s basketball coach seven weeks ago, may be taking a front office job with the Lakers after the National Basketball Assn. playoffs.

Hazzard has had discussions with Laker General Manager Jerry West about the job, which is part of an unusual plan that was suggested by UCLA Athletic Director Peter Dalis, Hazzard’s former boss.

When UCLA fired him March 30, Hazzard had two years left on his contract. The still-unspecified job with the Lakers, if it can be worked out with UCLA and Hazzard, could only be part of the school’s financial settlement package with Hazzard, according to his attorney, Jerry Roth.

“It would give Walt the opportunity to work with the top organization in professional sports,” Roth said.

Hazzard said he was excited about the possibility of joining the Lakers, but he tempered his enthusiasm because he had not yet reached a settlement agreement on his contract with UCLA.

“It’s exciting, but it’ll be more exciting when it’s resolved,” he said. “It’s good to at least have a chance to get up in the morning and go to a job. It’s been kind of uneasy around here for a while.

“But the prospects are very encouraging,” Hazzard said. “If it becomes reality, I’ll be really excited because I’ve got a lot of friends over there.”

Dalis said Hazzard would be paid by UCLA while working for the Lakers in their front office until his Bruin contract expires. At the same time, Hazzard would enroll in the executive management program at UCLA’s Anderson Graduate School of Management.

“I see it as a potential career opportunity for Walt,” said Dalis.

Those in the program attend class at UCLA once a week for nine months and are awarded a certificate, not a degree, after learning techniques in 12 areas of management, such as problem-solving and decision-making, economics, finance, organization and marketing.

The fee for the program is $6,400, but Dalis said that neither Hazzard nor the Lakers would have to pay. Hazzard presumably would use the skills learned in the course in his job with the Lakers.

The next executive management program begins in September, and the enrollment deadline is June 3.

The Lakers say they have not yet committed to anything. Laker owner Jerry Buss, who said Dalis had contacted him about the matter only a few weeks ago, confirmed that there are ongoing talks with Hazzard, but believes the issue is still far from being settled.

“We’re interested in seeing whether our needs and his needs match,” Buss said. “But it is a possibility.

“I’ve been a big-time buddy with Walt for a long time, but you can’t let that interfere in the decision. Pete Dalis mentioned it to me; I thought it sounded like it might be a good idea, and I suggested Jerry (West) talk to Walt, which he has done. It’s really a Jerry West-type decision.”

West said he has had preliminary talks with Hazzard, but only on the telephone. West doesn’t expect a decision to be made until the Lakers have finished their playoff competition.

“We’ve had some discussions, and we’ll have some more,” West said. “There’s still a lot more to talk about on both sides, but I want to make sure this is a positive thing for everybody.”

Exactly what Hazzard would do with the Lakers is unclear. Mitch Kupchak, who got a Master’s degree in business administration at UCLA in 1987, is in his second year as assistant general manager. Ronnie Lester, another former Laker, was added to the front office staff this season as the team’s second full-time scout. Gene Tormohlen is the other. West, Kupchak and assistant coach Randy Pfund also do some scouting.

West does not want Hazzard to come aboard and have little to do.

“That’s not fair to anybody,” he said.

West may also be sensitive in at least one other area. Although team President Bill Sharman is retiring, the Lakers apparently do not want to give the appearance of a one-for-one substitution with Hazzard.

Buss was reluctant to say much about a possible deal.

“I think we should wait and see how this works out,” he said. “What if we should interview Walt and he doesn’t take the job?”

Because UCLA must pay Hazzard two years’ compensation anyway, the school is not going to be out anything extra. Instead, Dalis said, he and Chancellor Charles Young agree that if the plan is a success, it may become a model for a future UCLA program.

The amount of money UCLA owes Hazzard, besides his base salary, is one of the areas under negotiation by Roth, Dalis and Elwin Svenson, UCLA’s vice chancellor in charge of institutional relations.

Hazzard, who spent four years as UCLA’s coach, has not ruled out a return to coaching.

“It’s something I’m familiar with. It’s something I’m good at,” he said. “But I’m just looking forward to working somewhere again. Maybe this thing with the Lakers will be it.”