LITTLE ROCK -- The University of Arkansas said Tuesday it will respond to Nolan Richardson's letter seeking an explanation of why he won't coach the basketball team next season.

"There will be a response," said Fred Harrison, the university system's chief lawyer.

Since Chancellor John White announced Friday that Richardson was out, Arkansas has offered no explanation beyond citing a no-excuses-necessary clause under the "Termination at Convenience of the University" section of Richardson's seven-year, $1.03 million-a-year contract.

Richardson intends to ask Arkansas system President Alan Sugg to review White's decision, the coach's lawyer said. First, however, the coach wants to know the reasons White wanted to buy out the six remaining years of the pact at $500,000 a year.

The termination section of Richardson's contract with the university says White had to consult with Sugg and athletic director Frank Broyles before the buyout could take place. By taking the money, Richardson would release the school and its officials from "any liability of any nature whatsoever" involving his tenure and his departure, the contract says.

Among Richardson's questions are what role Sugg might have played in the buyout -- a question important to the coach because Sugg is the person to whom Richardson must appeal.

By Tuesday afternoon, university officials had not released copies of correspondence among Richardson and university officials since Friday's announcement as requested under the state Freedom of Information Act.

Jeff Bell, a lawyer at the university system office, said officials had concluded that the personnel records were not exempt from provisions of the FOI Act but said Richardson laywer John Walker would be given an opportunity to ask the state attorney general to review the decision.

Walker said late Tuesday that he would not object to the release of the records, but university spokeswoman Rebecca Woods said the school had not been officially notified.

Arkansas' decision to end its contract with Richardson came six days after Richardson said publicly that if the university paid him off, he would leave. Walker characterized Richardson's departure as a firing.

White had said Richardson had until noon Monday to appeal to Sugg. Walker told The Associated Press on Monday that with Richardson's contract buyout coming after hours on Friday, the quick deadline could not be considered genuine.

An appeal to Sugg was seen as a prerequisite for possible legal action by Richardson against the university. Richardson said last Thursday it was his intent to remain at Arkansas despite his remark five days earlier.

Assistant Mike Anderson coached the Razorbacks in a victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday and will be in charge during the Southeastern Conference tournament this week. Arkansas plays Tennessee on Thursday.