For those who coach or work in another capacity in the field of athletics, a contract for employment may be a season-to-season agreement. Along with the renewal of a contract to continue in a position may come the chance to earn more money. One college football coach found his contract’s renewal shortly followed by a wrongful termination suit against his alma matter. Any Colorado employee who faces regular contract renewals may want to follow the story to see how the coach came to sue the university.
The coach signed a contract that would have secured his position as head coach through the 2017 football season. Part of the contract included a raise for staying in the position. The coach was granted a raise amounting to more than $30,000. He was also to get an allotment to pay for assistant staffers. That allotment was for $500,000.
According to the coach, he was then asked to resign as coach less than a week after signing the contract. He refused to sign the resignation. The board of trustees then took a vote and rescinded the contract he had already signed. This prompted the coach to file a wrongful termination suit against the school.
There was no indication of the amount of damages being sought or terms the coach would like to see met. When a person files a wrongful termination suit, it may be in pursuit of lost wages, back wages or even forward wages, along with reinstatement to a position. Those in Colorado who feel they have been the victims of wrongful terminations may benefit from exploring their options and learning what may be possibly gained by taking legal actions.
Source: al.com, “Former Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow files wrongful termination lawsuit against alma mater“, Nick Birdsong, Feb. 19, 2015