WSU Fires Rolovich Over Failure to Comply with Vaccination Order

Washington State University says the firing of Coach Nick Rolovich and four of his assistants is the result of their failure to comply with Governor Jay Inslee's vaccination order.

Rolovich is being fired "for cause", meaning he won't be getting any money remaining on his nearly $3.2 million contract that made him the highest paid state employee.

Governor Inslee's order required all state workers to be fully vaccinated by Monday in order to continue working today.

Rolovich was seeking a religious exemption from the order, but his accommodation request was denied.

“This is a disheartening day to be here today,” Athletic Director Pat Chun said in a Monday evening news conference. “Our football team is hurting, our WSU community is fractured, and today will have a lasting impact on the young men on our team and the remaining coaches on the staff."

Rolovich leaves after just 11 games and less than a year and a half on the job as the head coach.  His record at WSU is 5-6. He leaves after a three game winning streak in which the team has been gaining momentum.

In July, before the Pac-12 conference which required in-person participants to be vaccinated, Rolovich issued a statement saying he was not getting a vaccine for "reasons which will remain private."

Rolovich later said he would comply with the vaccine mandate, but only admitted he was seeking a religious exemption about two weeks ago.

WSU President Kirk Schulz used part of his time at Monday evening's news conference to throw support behind COVID-19 vaccines.

"Vaccines are safe and effecive," Schulz said. "Here in Pullman the total number of active cases is seven out of a total population of almost 24,000 students, faculty and staff."

Schulz said nearly 90 percent of WSU employees and 97 percent of students are now vaccinated.

The four assistant coaches being fired along with Rolovich are Ricky Logo, John Richardson, Craig Stutzmann and Mark Weber.

"This is a disheartening day for our football program. Our priority has been and will continue to be the health and well-being of the young men on our team," said Chun during the news conference. "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."

Rolovich is being replaced by defensive coordinator Jake Dickert, who will serve as acting head coach