Judge sides with Washington State in lawsuit brought by former football coach Rolovich
PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that Washington State University was justified in firing Nick Rolovich as head football coach because of his refusal to comply with the state’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Rolovich sued the university following his dismissal midway through the 2021 season. He claimed that as a Catholic, he was exempted from the state’s vaccine mandate but his exemption request had been denied. U.S. District Judge Thomas Rice ruled on Monday that Washington State could not accommodate Rolovich without undue hardship, including increased travel costs and hindered recruitment and fundraising efforts. Rice also found no basis for Rolovich’s objection to the vaccine on religious grounds.
Malik Benson heading to Oregon
wide receiver Malik Benson announced his transfer from Florida State to Oregon.
Oregon will be Benson’s third school in three years after he played two seasons at a Kansas junior college before transferring to Alabama first, then Florida State. Benson is in line to play another season after a federal judge last month issued a preliminary injunction allowing Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia to play one more year after Pavia challenged NCAA eligibility rules for athletes coming from junior colleges.
Benson was a record-setting receiver at Hutchinson Community College and the No. 1 junior college prospect in 2023. He started six of his 14 games at Alabama that year and caught 13 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown. He transferred to Florida State in the offseason and was the team’s third-leading receiver with 25 catches for 311 yards and a touchdown.
Oregon is losing leading receiver Tez Johnson, who announced Monday he would declare for the NFL draft. Evan Stewart, the Ducks’ third-leading receiver, said Tuesday he would return next season rather than enter the draft.