Nolan Richardson said he's no longer a candidate to become the basketball coach at Arkansas State. "There were some things that weren't able to fit," Richardson said Tuesday. Richardson has been out of college coaching since 2002, when he was fired by Arkansas. He said last week he was talking to Arkansas State, which has had an opening since Dickey Nutt resigned Feb. 19.

Richardson said he and Arkansas State decided to move in different directions. He made it clear Tuesday that he's still interested in coaching - but only in the right situation.

"I've got all the fire in the world in my belly," the 66-year-old Richardson said. "I'm looking for that fit."

Richardson's recent coaching experience includes a pair of stints at the international level, coaching national teams from Panama and Mexico.

Richardson coached Arkansas to a national championship in 1994, but was fired in 2002. He later lost a discrimination lawsuit against the school.

Richardson has stayed in the Fayetteville area and has been supportive of Stan Heath and John Pelphrey, the coaches who replaced him.

Arkansas State does not have the same statewide following as the Razorbacks, but Richardson said last week he believed the program had the potential to attract support.

Written By NOAH TRISTER