LITTLE ROCK -- Former Arkansas basketball coach Nolan Richardson and athletic director Frank Broyles had widely different views of Richardson's role as assistant athletic director.

In a 1999 exchange -- four years after Broyles elevated Richardson to the position -- the coach said he viewed the title as "a significant advancement of my career." Broyles said he deputized Richardson as a symbolic gesture, with no responsibilities attached.

That the men were far apart on many issues is clear in the 2,000 pages or so of documents the University of Arkansas released to reporters Friday afternoon. The documents date to 1986.

Fayetteville campus Chancellor John A. White fired Richardson on March 1, saying the school would buy out Richardson's seven-year, $1.03 million contract for $3 million over six years.

Arkansas system President B. Alan Sugg upheld the firing Thursday. The next day, the school released memos from Richardson's file and said it was also making them available to Richardson's lawyer.

The memos show that Broyles found Richardson's behavior erratic and, at times, threatening to the good of the university. Richardson wanted responsibilities as an assistant AD, not a ceremonial post.

Richardson went to Broyles on Dec. 20, 1999, asking his boss to provide him with a written detailed description of his duties as assistant athletic director. He said he needed the information so he could decide if he wanted to continue in the job.

His letter said he had previously looked forward to offering his help in dealing with endorsements and other items that come up in athletic department business.

"This, of course, did not come to pass, and I now understand why," he wrote. "Last May, I found out that I was removed from the list of assistant athletic directors in the stadium bond prospectus. I was furious to learn that this wasn't an oversight, but was intentionally done by (senior associate athletic director) Katie Hill. At that time, I assumed you understood how significant I viewed my position. After our conversation in August, I have my doubts.

"When preparing my list of responsibilities, please keep in mind that it is my strong desire to assist my athletic department in any way that I can," he said. "Like you, I love the University of Arkansas and want to help the school in many ways, but not as a token" -- a term he said Broyles had used earlier.

In a Feb. 28, 2000, response, Broyles said Richardson was one of three people who held the title of assistant athletic director while also serving as a head coach -- the others being former basketball coach Eddie Sutton and track coach John McDonnell.

"In each instance the title was assigned as a symbolic gesture of respect for contributions to our athletic programs," Broyles said. "Many head coaching positions carry with them certain administrative duties although the scope of administrative responsbility is narrow and pales in comparison to the more important coaching aspects of the positions.

"This title designation of assistant athletic director when held concurrently with the head coaching position has never been and is not currently intended to change any job duties," Broyles said.

Broyles named Richardson an assistant AD in 1995, and said he had a vision of using Richardson, but away from the Fayetteville campus.

"After you retire from coaching, I have in mind an associate athletic director with the flexibility to identify his own projects and public interactions consistent with the goals of the department and the institution. While you would have the resources of the department to call on as needed, including an office, I do not see much on-campus activity," Broyles said in an August 1995 letter.

"As one of the most recognizable figures in our state, you are in a unique position to be an effective ambassador for our institution and a very positive force for the youth of Arkansas," Broyles said.

Two months later, Broyles wrote Richardson again, telling him he didn't think it was feasible to give the coach "some kind of catalog of expected tasks."

Four years later, Richardson wanted to use his position while still the Razorbacks' coach and asked where he fit in.

"During our (August) meeting, you commented that you viewed my appointment as assistant athletic director as a `token' appointment," Richardson said. "The more I think about this, the more it frustrates and disappoints me."

More recently, Broyles was upset by a Richardson remark about recruiting athletes to Fayetteville and said so in a note to White.

Broyles attached a copy of the article to a fax which he sent to White. On the cover sheet, Broyles said, "These comments (on pg 5) are damaging to football recruiting -- last page of article will be shown to the 2 we're recruiting hard right now. Houston is upset and may talk to Nolan."

The fax was dated Feb. 12, almost a week after the national signing date.

The allegedly offensive passages were in a newspaper column's final five paragraphs.

"Coaches say, `If you want to go to Arkansas, are you going to the blue-light sale on Saturdays and Sundays?" Richardson said. "They ain't got nothing to do there but play basketball. You've got to have a social life."

The article went on to say that Richardson said that, with the NCAA investigating Arkansas athletics, he was glad he had already signed five players to national letters of intent.

"I see stuff in the paper about NCAA stuff and basketball is included," Richardson said. "What did we do now? I'm glad our recruiting is over. Believe me, that would be in the hands of every parent against teams we recruit against."

Other documents released Friday include an Aug. 6, 2001, memo from White in which the chancellor urged Richardson to exhibit a positive attitude.

"Our alumni and other supporters care about the University of Arkansas and want its coaches to be happy they are a part of the UA Team. If you are not, it shows! And, that affects others," White wrote.

Broyles also was concerned in 1995 that Richardson could show "Woody Hayes or Bobby Knight"-like behavior.

A year earlier, after Arkansas won the NCAA championship, Broyles wrote Richardson a glowing letter.

"There is no doubt that the Razorback basketball program is in the best hands possible," Broyles wrote. "Nolan, last year I told you that your friendship is very special to me -- my esteem grows for you each year, not because of your great program but because of your qualities and values as a human being."