Jay Kimbrough, deputy chancellor of the Texas A&M University System and a friend of Gov. Rick Perry, displayed a pocket knife and told system lawyers to “bring it on” after being fired Wednesday.

Kimbrough “brandished a knife in a nonthreatening manner,” according to a university police report, and refused to hand over his keys and pass card, telling the system’s lawyers that “if anyone is man enough to take them, bring it on.”

On Thursday, Kimbrough, 64, said he meant no harm by his words or actions.

“I regret saying that,” he said, explaining that he was upset because the termination came on his birthday “out of the cold-turkey blue sky, no heads-up of any type or kind.”

Kimbrough said he did not open the knife, a 3½-inch Buck knife that once belonged to a soldier in Afghanistan. He said he often takes it out to make a point.

“The message is, ‘Stand up, be strong, do what needs to be done.’ That kind of thing,” Kimbrough said.

According to the police report, Kimbrough had a closed-door meeting with system lawyers Ray Bonilla and Scott Kelly, who told police about the knife and Kimbrough’s statement to “bring it on.”

Kimbrough later walked to the parking lot to leave, but turned around. When he reached the chancellor’s suite, police blocked his entry. He walked out with the officers, leaving them with “I shall return,” a quote by General Douglas MacArthur about returning to defend the Philippines from the Japanese.

Kimbrough, Perry’s former chief of staff, was appointed interim chancellor in June after Mike McKinney resigned.

In August, the board chose Democrat John Sharp as chancellor, and Kimbrough moved to the No. 2 spot. Sharp decided the deputy’s $300,000-a-year position was unnecessary, according to system officials. Sharp did not return a call for comment.

Kimbrough said he understands why Sharp would eliminate his job. A man often brought in to clean up state agencies, Kimbrough has been the one to do the firing.

“I rode that horse; I have seen that movie. But I think it could have been handled better,” he said.

Lucy Nashed, a spokeswoman for the governor’s office, said Perry was not aware of Kimbrough’s departure until after the fact.

“Jay Kimbrough is a decorated war veteran who has given his life to public service. The governor has the utmost respect for and confidence in both Jay and John Sharp. This is a personnel matter with the A&M system,” she said.

More Information Read the police report See More Collapse

Kimbrough said Richard Box, chairman of the board, thanked him for his service and suggested he may be able to work for A&M again on a military-friendly project.

“I don’t want this to be harmful to (Perry) or the A&M system,” Kimbrough said. “I just think it got a little twisted out of proportion.”