Conque apologizes for actions

CONWAY — Central Arkansas football Coach Clint Conque said Tuesday that he had “an inappropriate relationship in the past” and apologized in a public statement to his family and UCA.

The announcement followed more than a week of requests starting July 12 by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for information contained on Conque’s public work equipment. On July 13, UCA General Counsel Tom Courtway denied the request, saying “the documents relate to nonathletic and nonuniversity matters, and are personal in nature.”

In his statement, Conque said, “During a period of time in my life I made some poor personal decisions. I had an inappropriate relationship in the past that I regret and these mistakes and missteps have hurt the ones that I love the most.”

Conque apologized to his family, “the university community, the administration, the university’s athletic staff, and to our football staff and team.”

Athletic Director Brad Teague issued a statement saying Conque “has been honest and forthright regarding his mistakes and has been working on rebuilding his relationship with his family.”

Conque is married and has three sons.

Teague said he looked forward to having Conque and his staff lead the football program this fall, UCA’s first season as an active member of NCAA Division I.

Teague said he “agreed to having Coach Conque make this public personal statement to end any speculation prior to the beginning of the fall season.”

“His issue is in the past and he has done everything correctly to assure me we are on course for a great fall campaign,” Teague added.

UCA President Allen C. Meadors said Conque “has done a lot for this university, the community, and for our football program over the past decade.”

“The university is moving forward,” Meadors added.

On July 14, the Democrat-Gazette requested records for Conque’s UCA-provided cell phone. UCA turned over more than 1,500 pages of billing records Friday and more than 200 more Monday.

Also Monday, the paper requested access to Conque’s SIM card, or cell-phone content. During a Tuesday meeting, Conque let the paper view text messages and photos on his Blackberry phone.

Asked if Conque had used his work computer or UCA cell phone to communicate with the person with whom he had the relationship, Meadors said Tuesday, “I have no knowledge about it. You’d have to check with his supervisor. The only thing I have is hearsay.”

Jack Gillean, who is chief of staff and an attorney, advised Conque not to answer a similar question Tuesday. Others present were Gary Jiles, representing Conque; Teague, and UCA spokesman Jeff Pitchford.

Gillean also advised Teague not to answer a question about whether Conque had violated a clause in his new five-year, $129,601 annual contract, signed last month.

Among the reasons UCA can terminate Conque’s contract is a section that refers to “Personal misconduct that is clearly contrary to the character and responsibilities of a person occupying the position of Head Football Coach which results in a substantial impairment of Coach’s fulfillment of assigned duties and responsibilities.”

Teague was again advised not to comment when asked if he would reprimand Conque.

State law says that “employee evaluation or job performance records, including preliminary notes and other materials, shall be open to public inspection only upon final administrative resolution of any suspensions or termination proceeding” if those records form the basis of the decision “and if there is compelling public interest in their disclosure.”

Conque is entering his 11th season at UCA, where he is 73-43. He led the Bears to a first-place finish in the Southland Conference in 2008. He coached at Louisiana Tech before becoming UCA’s head football coach.