Rick Neuheisel timeline

Nov. 23, 2002: In last year's Apple Cup, the Huskies beat No. 3-ranked Washington State 29-26 in three overtimes — the highest-ranked team UW has beaten in Neuheisel's tenure — to complete a sweep of the Northwest schools and salvage a winning season.

Dec. 31: In Neuheisel's last game as coach of the Huskies, UW melts down after building a 17-0 second-quarter lead and loses to Purdue 34-24 in the Sun Bowl. Neuheisel vows afterward to get the team back to playing "Husky football."

Jan. 9, 2003: Neuheisel is censured by the American Football Coaches Association after that board decides that Neuheisel has shown a lack of remorse for his role in violations that were committed at Colorado while he was coach.

Feb. 11: After rumors surface that he interviewed with the San Francisco 49ers for their head-coaching position the previous day, Neuheisel releases a statement through the UW denying he ever talked to the 49ers. He also denies talking to the 49ers in a lengthy radio interview on KJR as well as in an interview with The Seattle Times.

Feb. 12: After more reports surface that Neuheisel talked to the 49ers, he admits he did interview with San Francisco officials.

Feb. 13: UW athletic director Barbara Hedges says there will be no discipline of Neuheisel for lying about having interviewed with the 49ers. "The important thing is that Rick has apologized," Hedges said. "We at the university have accepted his apology and want to move on."

Feb. 14: Interim UW president Lee Huntsman said he has spoken to Neuheisel about the 49ers incident to make it "especially clear to Rick what the university's expectations are." Huntsman said he is "not prepared to talk about" whether the school had considered firing Neuheisel.

June 4: The NCAA launches an inquiry into Neuheisel betting on college basketball because its rules strictly prohibit coaches from wagering on college sports. Neuheisel confirms he bet on the NCAA men's basketball tournament for the past two years, saying, "I never in my wildest imagination thought I was breaking an NCAA rule." He said the bets were made in an annual auction with his friends and neighbors.

June 12: Hedges says Neuheisel has been placed on paid suspension and issued a termination letter. She says Neuheisel was fired with just cause because he participated in high-stakes NCAA tournament basketball pools the past two years and because he initially lied to NCAA investigators.

June 26: Neuheisel appeals his firing in a meeting with Hedges.

July 1: Hedges announces she has made a final decision to fire Neuheisel with cause.

July 28: Neuheisel is officially fired.

Aug. 20: Neuheisel begins volunteer job as quarterbacks coach for Rainier Beach High School.

Aug. 21: Neuheisel sues the UW and the NCAA, saying the school wrongfully fired him under pressure from the governing body of college athletics.

Oct. 31: UW files a counter claim against Neuheisel, seeking repayment of a $1.5 million loan Neuheisel received in August 2002.

Nov. 14: Rainier Beach ends its season 8-2, losing a first-round state playoff game to Columbia River.