University of Texas officials would rather have the spotlight on the many positives associated with its athletic department this summer, such as the soon-to-launch Longhorn Network and the upcoming football season.
Instead, the Cleve Bryant controversy continues to lurk, forcing those same officials to talk about something that they wish would go away.
Bryant was the associate athletics director for football operations and right-hand man to Mack Brown, and was reportedly sued for sexual harassment by a female employee in the athletic department. The employee then hired high-profile attorney Gloria Allred.
Bryant, whose base salary was $237,309 a year, was fired last March, according to his attorney Tom Nesbitt.
“Cleve Bryant appealed that decision pursuant to university policy, [to the school’s provost,]” the attorney added. “Our appeal was filed within 10 days of the decision. We requested an immediate hearing. Because of the scheduling issues for the university and its legal team, we’ve been told that a hearing will not be held until mid-August. Bryant and I believe the termination was unjust, and he will fight for his job.”
Bryant originally came to Texas in 1991 as an assistant to coach John Mackovic. He left in 1995 to work for Brown at North Carolina, and returned to Austin in 1998 with Brown.
His job description, prior to his departure, was working “extensively in handling and supervising all of the administrative operations and responsibilities of the football program. He oversees everything from team travel and event scheduling, to recruiting weekends, housing and game day operations.”
Bryant’s wife, Jean Bryant, a life skills counselor for the football team, also took a leave of absence around the same time the lawsuit was filed.
