State Court Sides With Texas Tech on Major Issue in Former Coach’s Lawsuit

In a ruling that Texas Tech University hailed as a “great victory,” a state Court of Appeals held on Friday that the university is protected by sovereign immunity against major claims in a lawsuit filed by its former football coach, Mike Leach, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported. The university fired the popular coach in December 2009 after investigating his treatment of a player with a concussion. Friday’s ruling, by the Seventh District Court of Appeals, sitting in Amarillo, means Mr. Leach cannot sue the university for breach of contract and cannot seek monetary damages from the university, but can continue his challenge on other grounds that do not seek monetary relief. His lawyers plan an appeal to the state Supreme Court.