The Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Missouri's president said he will not resign and did nothing wrong in his dealings with troubled basketball player Ricky Clemons.

Elson Floyd already had been scheduled to discuss his job performance Thursday in Kansas City with the university's governing board of curators. Floyd became president of the four-campus system in January.

After a public portion of the meeting with the curators, Floyd said, "I did nothing wrong that was inappropriate. The engagement with Ricky Clemons has been candidly a nightmare and it continues to be so."

Clemons said in taped jailhouse phone calls over the summer that he and two current players received cash from assistant coaches Tony Harvey and Lane Odom.

Clemons served two months for assaulting his ex-girlfriend and was kicked off the team. He also said his former attorney and Odom told him to deny ever receiving cash.

Floyd had befriended Clemons at the request of Tigers coach Quin Snyder. The president said he broke off contact with the player after Clemons wrecked an all-terrain vehicle during a July 4 party at Floyd's home.

Floyd was criticized for focusing attention on a student who pleaded guilty to assault.

Floyd said he has a reputation for counseling students at risk.

Floyd's wife, Carmento, continued to accept collect calls from Clemons when he was in jail, without her husband's knowledge. She apologized for harming her husband but added she saw nothing wrong with trying to help a troubled young man.

Missouri, ranked No. 3 this season, and the NCAA have spent months investigating accusations surrounding Clemons, who transferred to Missouri from a junior college last year.

Clemons' ex-girlfriend, Jessica Bunge, said he received money, clothes and improper help with schoolwork.

Clemons was thrown off the team after he assaulted Bunge. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was released Aug. 24.