Harrick Given a Three-Year Pact Extension : UCLA: Move is expected to add stability to the program, aid recruiting.

In a move that could bolster UCLA’s basketball recruiting prospects, Coach Jim Harrick was given a three-year contract extension through the 1996-97 season, school officials said Tuesday.

The announcement, with two Pacific 10 Conference games remaining this weekend, ended a season of speculation over Harrick’s status.

Harrick, 54, was not given a raise on his current contract, worth more than $391,000 a year. But he could get one later in the year.

Harrick’s situation was one of the hottest topics on the Southland sports scene. He was heavily criticized by some fans, who griped about his coaching, his recruiting and his record, which is 114-44 in almost five seasons.

The discontent reached a boiling point after a 22-point defeat by California on Jan. 24 at Pauley Pavilion. The coaching staff said its recruiting efforts were hampered because prospects viewed UCLA as unstable.

“It’s something kids and parents talked about,” said assistant coach Mark Gottfried said.

Monday’s decision should allay concerns.

“I’m very pleased. This removes the uncertainty and gives Coach Harrick a real chance to recruit some top players,” said Rick Price Jr., whose son, Rick Price III, a 6-foot-5 guard at Long Beach St. Anthony, is considered an outstanding prospect in a junior class regarded by college coaches as one of California’s finest in recent years.

High school juniors can sign letters of intent during a weeklong signing period in November, although they can make unwritten commitments at any time.

UCLA got none of those commitments last November, but Harrick is hoping to land at least one major recruit during the signing period starting April 14.

Despite the building pressure, Athletic Director Peter Dalis and Chancellor Charles Young waited until the Bruins had won their 20th game--a 93-64 rout of Washington at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday. The victory ensured Harrick of his fifth 20-victory season in a row.

But it did not ensure the Bruins of their fifth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. UCLA (20-9, 10-6) is tied for second in the Pac-10 with Arizona State and California. The Bruins will play Arizona State on Thursday night at Tempe, and then face conference-leading Arizona on Saturday at Tucson.

Although Harrick is confident that the Bruins will get a tournament bid, they might finish as low as fifth in the Pac-10 and be bypassed. For that to happen, UCLA would have to lose both games in Arizona, USC would have to win two there, and Cal would have to sweep the Oregon schools.

Dalis said he spoke with Harrick from time to time about the enormous pressure that goes with coaching UCLA basketball. Harrick is the longest-lasting coach there since John Wooden retired in 1975 after 27 seasons.

After Larry Smith, USC football coach, was pressured to resign in late December, Harrick told The Times he was concerned about his status, and drew parallels between the two jobs.

Dalis said he told Harrick: “It’s not a very good business. It has no comparability to the rest of higher education in how it operates. People can get victimized in the sports world.”

Dalis said he assured his beleaguered coach that he would return, although he gave no hint publicly. Dalis said he could not remember exactly when he gave such assurance to Harrick, who had one season left on his contract.

Despite Tuesday’s show of support, Dalis does not expect criticism of Harrick and UCLA basketball to subside.

“I understand why the fans feel that way,” he said. “It’s a cork in their lives for whatever collective ego purposes.”

Dalis defended his handling of the situation, saying he had not discussed the particulars of Harrick’s status before the season because he was concerned with the football program, which finished 6-5 and did not receive a bowl invitation.

Still, UCLA’s basketball players said it would have alleviated pressure if the administration had taken action earlier.

Tyus Edney, a sophomore point guard, said the players had wondered why the officials would not end the speculation.

“I mean, the record speaks for itself,” he said.

Said Mitchell Butler, the team’s senior captain: “We were expecting to have it happen some time ago, but it didn’t. We just tried to maintain our composure and . . . but it did affect us a little bit.

“It could have been a catastrophe, especially when the (Lou) Campanelli deal went down.”

Cal officials fired Campanelli last month with 10 games remaining for berating players.

Times staff writer Jeff Fellenzer contributed to this story.