Ex-football coach sues Whitworth
Age discrimination at heart of Tully’s case
Former Whitworth football coach John Tully is suing the university for age discrimination over his dismissal following the 2013 season.
In a civil lawsuit filed Tuesday in Spokane County Superior Court, Tully also alleges that he was “subjected to numerous adverse employment actions by Whitworth, including, but not limited to, false statements by Whitworth” in its press release concerning Tully’s termination.
The suit, filed by Spokane attorney Maris Baltins, seeks damages plus interest and attorney fees “in an amount to be proved at trial.”
On Nov. 19, 2013, three days after winning his 100th game at the school, Tully met with university president Beck Taylor and interim athletic director Melinda Larson.
Following the meeting, the university issued a press release stating that Tully, then 61 years old, chose to resign, but his lawsuit contends that he was fired.
The suit also contends that even before the meeting had concluded, Whitworth had issued a press release to The Spokesman-Review entitled, “Whitworth, Tully Part Ways,” causing Tully’s family, including his son Jay, an assistant coach to hear the news second-hand.
“This was heartbreaking to Coach Tully,” the lawsuit states.
The main contention of the suit is that the firing violated Washington state age-discrimination laws, and that because of his age, Tully is a member of a protected class.
The suit also notes that Tully’s successor, Rod Sandberg, was only 44 at the time of his hiring.
A Whitworth spokesperson, Director of University Communications Nancy Hines, said Thursday that “the legal process that he is pursuing is going to show that there is no age discrimination.
“We are confident in that,” Hines said.
In 19 years as head coach at Whitworth, Tully compiled a record of 100-83, winning two Northwest Conference titles and being named NWC coach of the year on three occasions.
In a three-year span from 2006 through 2008, the Pirates went 25-6 overall and 14-2 in conference play.
However, in his last five years, Tully was 25-23 overall and 14-15 in the NWC. His final team finished 4-6.