Louisville settles for $4.5M with ex-AD Jurich over firing

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) Louisville reached a $4.5 million settlement with former athletic director Tom Jurich, who was fired in the wake of a national federal corruption investigation of college basketball.

Jurich disputed his firing on Oct. 18 for cause after nearly 20 years as AD and had considered suing the school. The University of Louisville Athletic Association and Board of Trustees on Friday approved the settlement. Jurich's employment ended ''without cause'' as a result of his resignation, also described in the settlement as ''retirement.''

He'll also receive another $2.6 million in accrued employment benefits, along with home game tickets and parking for Louisville football and basketball for 20 years.

An audit of the University of Louisville Foundation released last June showed that Jurich averaged annual compensation of more than $2.76 million from 2010-16, including more than $5.35 million in 2016.

Then-Interim President Greg Postel had placed Jurich on paid administrative leave in September after the school's acknowledgement of its involvement in the investigation. Trustees voted 10-3 to fire Jurich, two days after the ULAA unanimously fired Hall of Fame men's basketball coach Rick Pitino.

The former AD said in a joint statement he ''spent the better part of my career'' working with dedicated athletes, coaches and staff to elevate Louisville. He added, ''I am proud of what we accomplished, which is well documented.''

Jurich's legal team had stressed the ex-AD did nothing illegal, nor violated NCAA rules.

Trustee chairman J. David Grissom said in the statement that ''Everyone is pleased that this matter has been successfully resolved. All parties can move forward to begin the next chapter.''

Jurich played a major role in Louisville's success on the field and how the school handled issues off it. He led the school's 2014 entry into the Atlantic Coast Conference and oversaw numerous program and facility upgrades, including a $63 million expansion of the football stadium due for completion by fall.

He also hired several successful coaches including Pitino, who guided the Cardinals to the 2013 NCAA men's basketball championship. Louisville ultimately vacated that title in February as part of NCAA penalties for a sex scandal following an escort's book allegations that former basketball staffer Andre McGee hired her and other dancers to strip and have sex with players and recruits.

Pitino has filed a $38.7 million federal lawsuit against Louisville, alleging breach of contract.

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