Washington State University had “just cause” to fire head football coach Nick Rolovich for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine, a federal judge ruled Monday. Rolovich, ( pictured) who is Catholic, sued the public institution for discrimination after being terminated in 2021 in the middle of the football season.

Former WSU football coach Nick Rolovich lost his lawsuit against the university that stemmed from his firing for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The decision from Judge Thomas Rice of the U.S. District Court for Eastern Washington comes three years after Rolovich was let go midway through the 2021 season. At the time, state employees were mandated to be vaccinated against coronavirus, a requirement later rescinded by the state.

Former Washington State football head coach Nick Rolovich has lost his lawsuit regarding COVID-19 issues from his days with the Cougars. Rolovich was the head coach at Washington State during the height of the COVID pandemic, and he was fired for failing to comply with the state's vaccine mandate.

A federal judge has ruled in favor of Washington State University (WSU) in a lawsuit brought by former head football coach Nicholas Rolovich, according to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. Judge Thomas O. Rice granted WSU’s motion for summary judgment, effectively ending the case.