Nothing Final on Harrick : UCLA: Dalis says he will make decision on coach after last game of regular season.

UCLA Athletic Director Peter Dalis said Wednesday night he will make a decision on the future of basketball Coach Jim Harrick after the final regular-season game March 13 at Arizona.

“I’m going to do something next week,” he said.

Confusion over Harrick’s status heightened Wednesday as UCLA prepared for one of its most important games of the season--a Pacific 10 Conference meeting with Washington State tonight at Pauley Pavilion.

A report in Wednesday’s editions of the Pasadena Star-News cited three unnamed sources who indicated Harrick will receive a one-year contract extension if the Bruins earn a fifth consecutive NCAA tournament berth. The sources also said there is a slight possibility that Harrick would get a two-year extension.

Harrick is in the fourth year of a five-year deal in which he earns a little less than $400,000 a year.

Five sources close to the program said Wednesday that they were unaware of any offer of a contract extension.

“I’d be very surprised if it were done,” said one, who asked not to be identified.

Said another, also speaking on condition of anonymity: “This is premature. This is something we would know. It’s our gut feeling he’ll be back by everything that has been said, but you never know.”

Harrick’s status has been called into question this season despite a 112-44 record at UCLA in four-plus seasons. He has led the Bruins to four consecutive 20-victory seasons, and the team has made the NCAA tournament in each. Last season’s team advanced to the final eight before losing to Indiana.

But defeats to California and USC at home this season and criticism over recruiting efforts have led to speculation about Harrick’s future.

This season’s team is 18-9 overall and 8-6 in the Pac-10. The UCLA coaching staff says the team needs to win at least two of its final four regular-season games to earn a bid.

The Bruins’ best chances for two victories come tonight against the Cougars and Saturday night against Washington. UCLA travels to Arizona State and Arizona to end the season.

Dalis said the continued speculation about Harrick has not bothered him.

“Everything that has gone on has gone on external to the institution,” he said. “But there’s nothing going on internally. I don’t feel like I’m in an awkward position (by the latest report). I have a coach who has another year left on his contract. I formally review people on or near the end of the season. That’s what I’m doing.”

Harrick said Wednesday that he does not foresee any changes next season. “At the end of the year, we’re going to sit down and talk, and I’m confident everything will be all right,” he said.

“I’ve got another year on my contract. Yeah, I’m going to be around. Pete and I talk every day when he’s in town. I don’t know where (the newspaper) got it. Nothing has been said to me.”

Although Harrick says his situation is stable, he realizes the perception is otherwise.

“I don’t know how it ever started that (I) would lose (my) job,” he said. “That’s never been a topic of discussion (with administrators).

“The perception is like some thing is wrong. I’ve never felt anything is wrong. We haven’t won some games I’d like to win. Yeah, I’ve made a mistake a couple of times . . . talking.”

But the ongoing controversy over his status baffles him.

“Why, what’s the reason?” he asked. “They could give a Cal reason--they don’t like the direction of the program.”

When California officials fired Lou Campanelli last month, they at first used the direction of the program as their reason. They later acknowledged Campanelli was terminated because of the way he handled his players.

“It’s like a snowball that rolls downhill,” Harrick said of his circumstance. “I believe everything will work out, but I’m the eternal optimist.”