Arkansas Official: Cross Gillispie Off Razorbacks' List

Thursday, March 29th 2007, 8:36 pm

By: News On 6

LITTLE ROCK (AP) An Arkansas official says that the school is no longer pursuing Texas A&M coach Billy Gillispie -- and that A&M athletic director Bill Byrne told Arkansas that Gillispie intends to remain with the Aggies.

Gillispie was a prominent candidate for the Arkansas job, which opened when Stan Heath was fired Monday. A person close to Arkansas' search, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the process, said the Razorbacks have (quote) "moved on" and are ready to focus on other candidates.

According to the Arkansas official, Byrne gave Broyles permission to talk to Gillispie at around 10 a.m. Thursday, but the Razorbacks were not able to make contact with the coach. The official said Byrne called again around noon, saying Gillispie had said he intends to stay put.

Byrne said the Texas A&M Board of Regents was reviewing revisions to Gillispie's contract Thursday, including an extension, incentives and a substantial salary increase. The school's regents are scheduled to vote to approve the contract Friday morning.

Gillispie, traveling to Atlanta for the Final Four, could not be reached for comment.