PULLMAN, Wash. — A federal judge has determined that Washington State University was justified in terminating Nick Rolovich as the head football coach due to his refusal to adhere to the state’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate. This ruling came after Rolovich filed a lawsuit against the university following his dismissal during the 2021 football season.

In his lawsuit, Rolovich argued that his Catholic faith exempted him from the state’s vaccination requirement, but his request for such an exemption was ultimately denied. U.S. District Judge Thomas Rice issued a decision on Monday, stating that accommodating Rolovich would impose undue hardships on the university, such as rising travel expenses and challenges in recruitment and fundraising. Additionally, he noted that the university’s reputation could suffer as a result.

Judge Rice found no credible basis for Rolovich’s claim of a religious objection to receiving the vaccine. He pointed out that Rolovich had expressed primarily secular concerns regarding the COVID-19 vaccine in conversations with various individuals including friends, family, and colleagues. According to Judge Rice, the extensive discovery materials revealed that Rolovich did not raise any religious objections to the vaccine, which provided grounds for dismissing his claims.

Initially, the lawsuit brought by Rolovich included Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Pat Chun, who was the athletic director at the time, but those claims were dismissed earlier in 2023. Currently, Rolovich holds the position of senior offensive assistant for the California Golden Bears, continuing his coaching career following the legal battle.