By Kelly McLaughlin
- Washington State University has fired its football coach, Nick Rolovich, and four of his assistants.
- Rolovich had refused to get a COVID-19 vaccine despite a statewide vaccine mandate.
- The school said Rolovich had unsuccessfully asked for a religious exemption to vaccine.
Washington State University football coach Nick Rolovich was fired by the school on Monday after he refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Four of his assistants were also fired on Monday for violating the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, and defensive coordinator Jake Dickert is now serving as the team’s acting head coach, Washington State athletic director Pat Chun told the Associated Press.
Rolovich was making a $3.2 million annual salary at the school, HuffPost reported.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has required all state employees, including employees at higher education institutions, to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Chun told AP that Rolovich had unsuccessfully applied for a religious exemption to the vaccine mandate.
Washington State told HuffPost that 90% of its employees and 97% of students were vaccinated against COVID-19, but because Rolovich was not, he was “no longer able to fulfill the duties as the football head coach.”
“This is a disheartening day for our football program,” Chun said in a statement. “Our priority has been and will continue to be the health and well-being of the young men on our team. The leadership on our football team is filled with young men of character, selflessness and resiliency and we are confident these same attributes will help guide this program as we move forward.”
Washington State’s athletic department did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.
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