LEXINGTON — The chairman of the University of Kentucky's board of trustees criticized outgoing President Charles Wethington, claiming that he and other trustees should have been notified immediately about allegations of NCAA violations in the school's football program.

        “Any time there's a problem, we should hear about it,” said Billy Joe Miles, who said he first heard about the allegations in newspaper reports. “As soon as you know there's a problem, everyone needs to be notified.”

        School officials are investigating charges that former assistant football coach Claude Bassett mailed $1,400 in money orders to a Memphis high school coach. The school was actively recruiting several of Melrose High School coach Tim Thompson's players, and Mr. Thompson reportedly was in position to fill a vacancy on UK head coach Hal Mumme's staff.

        Mr. Wethington sent a letter dated Dec. 29 to trustees, explaining the situation. Mr. Miles said Mr. Wethington or Athletics Director Larry Ivy should have called the trustees when newspaper reports were imminent.

        Mr. Miles said his primary concern is that the investigation and its fallout may hinder the search for a new president.

        “We have to have a perfectly clean program, we ought to be absolutely, 100 percent in compliance,” he said. “Anyone who does anything not in compliance will have to be fired, and that goes from the janitor to the president.

        “It's important to have a good sports program. But it's more important to be morally ethical about it and not be embarrassed.”

        Trustee Steve Reed, the board's vice chairman, said he had not yet received Mr. Wethington's letter and would not comment until he talked with him personally.

        “I want to hear what explanation there was for not calling me,” Mr. Reed said.

        Other trustees, however, had no problem with the way Mr. Wethington handled the problem.

        “I think it's unfortunate that at this particular time we're looking for a new president,” Grady Stumbo said. “But I feel President Wethington is going to look into this fully and completely. I don't have a problem with his letter.”

        The school's presidential search committee is scheduled to meet Saturday to narrow its list of finalists. The full board is expected to choose the next president at its Jan. 23 meeting.

        Trustee Edward T. “Ned” Breathitt said he did not think the investigation would keep qualified candidates from taking the job.

        “I don't think it hurts getting a president at all,” he said. “I imagine this will all be over pretty soon.”

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