December 10, 1998

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – The NFL has turned down a request by Kentucky to givejunior quarterback Tim Couch more time to decide whether he wants to turn pro,according to coach Hal Mumme.

Mumme said the school asked for the extension of the Jan. 8 deadline forunderclassmen to declare for the draft because of uncertainty surrounding thecoaching staff of the expansion Cleveland Browns, who hold the top pick.

Because of NFL tampering rules, the Browns cannot name a coaching staffuntil after the Jan. 31 Super Bowl.

“The NFL refused, which I think is pretty sad, to put our kid in thisposition,” Mumme told the Lexington Herald-Leader.

“He’s still going to have to make a decision and play by the rules theydictate. … I wish the rule was such that he could take his time and be ableto really evaluate the market.”

A message left today at NFL offices in New York seeking confirmation andcomment was not immediately returned.