Wednesday, April 22, 1998 | 8:55 a.m.
Rudy Washington, the president of the Black Coaches Association whose role in the hiring of new UNLV women's basketball coach Regina Miller has been questioned, was hired by UNLV as a consultant in February, the SUN has learned.
According to a contract obtained by the SUN and dated Feb. 12. -- 10 days after LaDonna McClain was fired as Lady Rebels coach -- Washington was retained to "consult with athletic administration regarding NCAA certification."
But UNLV athletic director Charlie Cavagnaro denied Washington was an influence on the hiring process, refuting the claim of search committee members and others within the athletic department.
"He was brought here to help us with our diversity plan with the NCAA," Cavagnaro said. "We hadn't even formed our (search) committee yet when he met with us.
"He came in here, we met and he gave us some suggestions and some input on the diversity program."
According to the contract, Washington was paid $774.08 -- $550 for his services Feb. 12-16 and $224.08 for travel to and from Los Angeles.
But Washington, whom Miller listed on her resume, was seen on campus at least twice more according to UNLV sources.
Cavagnaro said he wasn't aware of Washington's presence on those occasions.
"You'd have to ask him that," Cavagnaro said.
Washington failed to return phone messages left for him at the Black Coaches Association offices in Los Angles.
Cavagnaro also denied that Washington was a factor in Stephen F. Austin coach Royce Chadwick withdrawing his name from consideration for the Lady Rebels' job.
Chadwick, who was at the top of several search committee members' short lists, guided the Ladyjacks to 102-21 record in four seasons at the Texas school. He made two trips to Las Vegas, the second on the weekend of March 21-22 with his family.
By the time he left Las Vegas, he had withdrawn his candidacy. When asked what happened, Chadwick said, "We came out there because I assumed they were diligently looking at us for the job.
"But these things go down hot and hectic and after we went through the whole deal, we decided this wasn't what we were going to do."
When asked if Washington might have influenced the school into hiring a black woman, Chadwick said, "I never met Rudy Washington, so I don't know if I can answer that.
"I think once you withdraw, you lose your right to comment, so let's leave it at that."
Cavagnaro said: "It was Coach Chadwick's decision (to withdraw). We brought more than one person in here twice to visit."
Public outcry over Miller's hiring has been severe. Her career coaching record at Western Illinois was 60-100, with her last three teams posting 8-18, 7-20 and 10-17 records.
Mark Alden, a University Regent, said he has received more than 100 telephone complaints protesting Miller's hiring. A member of the search committee questioned whether the men's program would hire a coach with a 60-100 record.
But Cavagnaro insists Miller is the right person for the job.
"Let me reiterate that there were no undue outside pressures whatsoever from anyone to hire Regina Miller," he said. "I'm as comfortable and confident about the hiring of Regina Miller today as I was two weeks ago."
archive
