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(Lawrence, Kansas-AP) -- The University of Kansas has fired athletic director Al Bohl.

Bohl tells The Associated Press he refused to resign.

The move was seem by some as an effort to persuade men's basketball coach Roy Williams to remain at the school, however the school chancellor denied that today. Bohl and Williams have clashed ever since Bohl was hired in 2001 to replace Williams' friend and longtime Kansas AD Bob Frederick.

Bohl says Williams was behind the firing, saying Williams held him in his hand like a dove and could have let him fly or have crushed him, and that he chose to crush him. He also says it's bad when a basketball coach has the ability to hire and fire someone,

adding he's been beaten up maliciously.

Williams says it's always sad for the individual involved when a change is made. He admits the two had difficulties and were not as cohesive as an athletic department needs to be.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Date published: 4/9/2003

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