College football coach who was fired for refusing COVID vaccine loses lawsuit after Obama-appointed judge's ruling.

Nick Rolovich, the former head football coach of Washington State, lost his lawsuit against the university after being fired for not getting the COVID-19 vaccine during the 2021 season.

In June 2011, President Barack Obama appointed U.S. District Judge Thomas Rice. On Monday, Judge Rice ruled that Washington State could not accommodate Rolovich without causing undue hardship, such as increased travel costs and hindered recruitment and fundraising efforts, and also claimed damage to its reputation.

In October 2021, the university dismissed Rolovich and four assistant coaches due to their refusal to adhere to a mandate requiring all state employees to be vaccinated. Rolovich subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging that the university's termination was illegal and motivated by "discriminatory and vindictive behavior" by athletic director Pat Chun.

Rolovich argued that, as a Catholic, he was exempt from the state's vaccine mandate, but his exemption request was rejected.

Rice concluded that Rolovich's opposition to the vaccine on religious grounds lacked any foundation.

"Rice wrote that Rolovich frequently expressed secular concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine to friends, family members, and coworkers. However, in the thousands of pages of discovery, Plaintiff does not invoke a religious objection to the vaccine. This alone is a basis for denying Plaintiff's claimed religious objection."

Several of Rolovich's players publicly expressed their support for their former coach and the positive influence he had on them following his dismissal.

In October 2021, after his coach's firing, former Washington State player and current Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson released an emotional statement in support of Rolovich.

"This man has had a profound impact on my life in numerous ways. He is a genuine and principled individual who always stands by his beliefs, with a pure heart and a strong sense of integrity. Despite being constantly criticized, he remained true to himself and to us, his teammates. He was more than just a dollar sign, and we were more than just a means to an end for him. Watson wrote on X (then known as Twitter), "Everyone seems to bash this man without considering his humanity or feelings. All he had was us, and all we had was him. We were his only friends and he was ours."

Nick Haberer, the former punter of Washington State, shared how Rolovich had a profound impact on his life that same month.

It's hard to believe that just a year ago, I was in Australia unsure of my direction in life. Coach Rolo took a risk on me, and he became my coach, friend, and mentor. He imparted invaluable life lessons that will stay with me forever.

In a November 2022 episode of "The Jason Rantz Show," Rolovich claimed that the Washington State athletic director suggested he receive a COVID-19 vaccine in front of the entire football team around the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021.

Rolovich said, "The AD suggested placing me on the 50-yard line with the team surrounding me and the doctor administering the vaccine in front of everyone."

"I stated, 'Absolutely not, I have no desire to do that.' I had no intention of turning it into a circus."

In April 2023, Rice issued an order to U.S. authorities to maintain access to the abortion medication mifepristone in 17 Democrat-led states that had sued over the issue.

Rice prevented the FDA from modifying the drug's availability in states that filed lawsuits to increase access to it.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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