By William Robers, Shareholder, Sparks Willson Borges Brandt & Johnson, P.C.
Auburn and its former baseball coach, Sunny Golloway, reached a confidential settlement in a federal wrongful termination lawsuit brought by Golloway in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles S. Coody issued an order on January 18, 2018, announcing the settlement and a joint stipulation for dismissal of the suit by February 8, 2018, after the parties had reached “an amicable settlement of all issues.”
The settlement was not reached without some last-minute drama, however, between Golloway and his attorney, John Saxon. Earlier on the date of the announced settlement, Saxon had filed a motion to withdraw, citing “diverging views regarding the manner and means by which this case should be prosecuted.” He later withdrew that request, after he and Golloway had apparently reconciled their differences. The end of the case now permits Golloway, who has 15 NCAA regional appearances as a Division I baseball coach, to pursue other employment opportunities without the distraction of the federal lawsuit.
The case had been filed on May 24, 2016, against Auburn, outgoing Athletic Director, Jay Jacobs, former Chief Operating Officer and current University of Connecticut athletic director, David Benedict, and other Auburn athletics’ staff members. The 86-page complaint accused the defendants of breach of contract, defamation, fraud and tortuous interference. Among other claims, Golloway had argued that he was entitled to “permanent employment” throughout his contract, citing alleged comments made by Jacobs. In a ruling on March 21, 2017, Coody had dismissed all but one of the claims, intentional interference of contractual relations. The case had been expected to go to trial in October to determine whether Auburn was responsible for paying Golloway a $1 million buyout pursuant to his contract.
The settlement is a welcome resolution for new athletic director Allen Greene, who will have one less concern when he begins his duties in late February.
