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Report: Yow calls out Maryland coach
North Carolina State athletic director Debbie Yow accused Maryland coach Gary Williams of trying to sabotage the school's search for a new basketball coach, which ended with the hiring of Mark Gottfried, the Baltimore Sun reported Wednesday.
Yow, who was the AD at Maryland from 1994 to 2010, called out Williams for apparently spreading rumors that she was difficult to work for.
"I don't have a reputation across all of men's basketball as being difficult to work with. I have a reputation of not getting along with Gary Williams who has tried to sabotage the search," Yow said in response to a question during Tuesday's press conference to introduce Gottfried.
"It's not a 'reputation.' It's Gary Williams out there doing his thing. Whatever."
Yow added that she would "give some thought to" pursuing legal action against Williams.
Williams, who guided the Terrapins to a national championship in 2002, quickly responded Tuesday in a statement issued by the university.
"I haven't talked to anyone -- coach or athletic director -- connected to the NC State search," Williams said. "I don't have any interest in the NC State search, since I'm coaching at Maryland and working hard to run our program. Anyone who says I've had contact with a prospective coach or athletic director regarding this search isn't being truthful."
NC State parted ways last month with Sidney Lowe, who failed to make the NCAA Tournament in his five seasons leading the Wolfpack. During the past few weeks, several reporters had speculated that coaches were wary of working for Yow.
Virginia Commonwealth coach Shaka Smart, who grabbed national fame by leading the Rams to the Final Four, turned down the NC State job on Monday. The school had also sought Arizona's Sean Miller, Cincinnati's Mick Cronin and Wichita State's Gregg Marshall, but all declined the school's overtures.
Gottfried, 47, was the head coach at Alabama from 1998 to 2008, and has since worked as a college basketball analyst for ESPN.
