Indiana University President Thomas Ehrlich said he...

Indiana University President Thomas Ehrlich said he was under pressure while basketball Coach Bob Knight considered a job in New Mexico, but threats by some alumni to withhold contributions did not affect his actions.

“I would not have liked to have taken a referendum last week on staying or going,” Ehrlich said. “There’s a risk when you’re sitting in my position and 300 calls come in overwhelmingly saying ‘Keep our coach,’ and some of them saying ‘And if you don’t it’s your fault.’

“Basketball is enormously important to the school. An awful lot of people have nothing else to do with Indiana University. But I knew that before.”

Ehrlich, former provost at the University of Pennsylvania and dean of the Stanford University law school, said his job was not in jeopardy had Knight left.