Tarkanian’s UNLV Future May Be Known Very Soon

Nevada Las Vegas basketball Coach Jerry Tarkanian and UNLV President Robert Maxson met for an hour and a half Wednesday, with Tarkanian indicating afterward that questions about his future at the school will soon be resolved.

Tarkanian’s job status has been a matter of conjecture since Monday, when he and his lawyers met for five hours with Maxson and members of the University of Nevada System Board of Regents in a closed executive session.

The meeting was requested by Tarkanian in the wake of recent negative publicity concerning his program, including allegations of NCAA rules violations and the publication of photographs showing three former UNLV players in the company of convicted sports fixer Richard Perry.

Although the matter was not settled at Wednesday’s session, which involved only Tarkanian and Maxson, Tarkanian intimated afterward that he is close to making a decision about his future.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Tarkanian said: “(Maxson) wanted me to make up my mind as to what I want to do. I’m very close to having my mind made up.”

Tarkanian and Maxson have agreed to meet again, possibly today.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Tarkanian’s representatives have proposed a deal whereby Tarkanian would resign after next season and not require the university to buy out the final year of his contract.

Although there are UNLV officials who would prefer to see Tarkanian leave immediately, sources say, Maxson might be inclined to accept such a deal to avoid financial and legal complications.