COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NATION : James’ Decision to Quit Not a Hard One

Don James, who resigned as Washington coach on Sunday after penalties against the football program were announced by the Pacific 10 Conference, told the Everett Herald that his decision to quit did not require a lot of thought.

Athletic Director Barbara Hedges informed James of the stiffer-than-expected penalties in a phone call Saturday night. James was at his son’s home celebrating a family birthday.

“Oh, it was like a stab, a knife right in the heart,” James said. “They couldn’t have hurt me anymore if they’d hit me over the head with a hammer.”

James made his decision then and there. In doing so, he may have given up as much as $530,000 in annual salary, Associated Press reported.

Still, James, who since 1975 has guided the Huskies to four victories in six Rose Bowl appearances and a national championship in 1991, said he has no hard feelings toward anybody.

“I’m over it,” James said. “I’m not a bitter person. I’ve seen too many people go through life bitter and I said I would never do that. You’ve got to walk your talk and be forgiving.”