Brown Expected to Sign Spur Contract for 5 Years, $3.5 Million by Tuesday

Larry Brown, who led Kansas to the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. basketball title this spring, is expected to rejoin the National Basketball Assn. by Tuesday when he becomes coach and player personnel director of the San Antonio Spurs.

The San Antonio Light reported Sunday that Brown is to sign a $3.5-million, 5-year contract.

The paper said that current Vice President and General Manager Bob Bass will become administrative assistant to owner Red McCombs and will handle most of the general manager’s work.

Brown, 47, refused to confirm the appointment, but sources told the newspaper last week that Brown agreed in principle to a contract during a meeting with McCombs at the Lawrence, Kan., airport.

Kansas Athletic Director Bob Frederick had said he expected an announcement by Sunday night, but McCombs has reportedly set a Tuesday deadline.

“I’m not going to comment one way or the other,” Brown said. “I’m just waiting for the right time. We’ve got to get this thing resolved, though.”

Two months ago, after the Jayhawks won the national crown and Brown completed divorce proceedings, ending his second marriage, he agreed to become UCLA’s coach, then backed out.

“I was going through a personal hell,” Brown said. “It was something I had trouble dealing with.”

“The whole thing depressed him,” said Doug Compton, a friend and business partner of Brown. “It was a tough decision.”