Tarkanian Says He Is Not Interested in Clippers’ Job

LAS VEGAS — Nevada Las Vegas Coach Jerry Tarkanian dismissed a report Wednesday linking him to the vacant coaching job with the Clippers as having “absolutely no truth.”

Tarkanian said he has no intention of seeking the job, and said the report he would meet with Clipper owner Donald Sterling about the vacancy “makes me sick.”

“There’s absolutely no truth to that at all,” Tarkanian said. “It just amazes me that someone would write something like that and not even check with me about it.”

Tarkanian denied a report in The Times that he discussed the job with Sterling and would fly to Los Angeles Thursday for more talks.

“It makes me look bad,” said Tarkanian, who led the Runnin’ Rebels to the NCAA championship last month. “It makes it look like I’m trying to get something and I’m not. I just don’t operate that way.”

Clipper spokesman Bill Kriefeldt said there are no meetings set with possible coaching candidates.

Tarkanian said he spoke with Sterling about other coaches, but not about taking the job himself. He said he and Sterling are friends.

“I’ve talked to them on occasion,” Tarkanian said. “(Sterling) asked me questions about coaches but not at all about taking the job.”