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Saturday, March 28, 1998

Texas delays release of investigation findings

By CHIP BROWN / AP Sports Writer

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- The University of Texas pushed into next week the findings of its investigation into the release of a basketball player's academic progress report.

More than a week after the grades of freshman guard Luke Axtell were given to an Austin radio station, the official conducting the school's investigation said Friday a report isn't likely until at least Monday.

Patricia Ohlendorf, vice provost and counsel to the UT president, said earlier in the week she had hoped Friday would be the day to release the findings.

"We're not able to do that today," she said. "We'll be doing it soon. The best case scenario would be Monday afternoon."

A high-ranking university source told The Associated Press that Tom Penders is out as coach, adding that if Penders doesn't voluntarily step down, he'll be reassigned. He has four years remaining on a contract that pays him $550,000 per year.

Penders is the winningest coach in Texas history with a 208-110 record and eight trips to the NCAA tournament in 10 seasons. He has said he doesn't plan on stepping down but would agree to be reassigned if that's what the university wanted.

The release of Axtell's grades occurred after Penders suspended Axtell for academic reasons on March 17, and the freshman guard responded by accusing the coach of verbal abuse, lying and retaliation.

Axtell, freshmen Chris Mihm and Bernard Smith as well as sophomore Gabe Muoneke had met with Texas AD DeLoss Dodds at his home on March 8 to say they couldn't play for Penders any longer.