Texas Disputes That Sherri Coale Was Offered Longhorns Job

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Officials at the University of Texas are disputing a comment from University of Oklahoma President David Boren that women's basketball coach Sherri Coale turned down the Texas

Friday, June 29th 2007, 11:32 am

By: News On 6

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Officials at the University of Texas are disputing a comment from University of Oklahoma President David Boren that women's basketball coach Sherri Coale turned down the Texas job.

Boren said Wednesday after OU regents approved a $250,000 raise for Coale that Coale turned down Longhorns after the retirement of Jody Conradt.

But Boren issued a statement Friday saying his earlier comments, quote, "were clearly misinterpreted." He says that his point was that Coale could have numerous opportunities if she would allow herself to be considered for other jobs, but that she is very loyal to OU.

Boren says that he, quote, "did not ever assert that Sherri Coale was offered any other job."

Texas women's athletic director Chris Plonsky has issued a statement saying she did not speak to Coale about the UT coaching job.

Plonsky says he's not sure what caused "this inadvertent misunderstanding."

Texas hired Gail Goestenkors from Duke and Plonsky says Goestenkors was the only person interviewed.