No Money-Back Guarantee for Minnesota

Four people lost their jobs after Minnesota’s academic fraud was released, but former basketball coach Clem Haskins, who lost his job in June, is the only former university employee who is $1.5 million richer. It is unlikely the university will recover the money, even though the report showed he broke academic and other rules over many years to keep his players eligible.

Haskins was given a $1,500,537 payment to cover the final three years of his contract, and was to receive pension benefits, moving expenses and four season tickets to Gopher games for three years.

School President Mark Yudof was asked several times Friday whether it was possible to rescind the buyout now that the university believes Haskins broke regulations forbidding academic fraud and improper payments to players. Yudof responded it was unlikely, but said school lawyers would look into it.