Jimmy Williams Verdict Offers Lessons for Negotiating Coaching Contracts
By V. John Ella of Jackson Lewis
The $1.247 million jury verdict in favor of former Oklahoma State assistant basketball coach Jimmy Williams in a lawsuit against Tubby Smith, the head coach of the University of Minnesota (“U of M”) Men’s Basketball team (See “Asst. Coach Wins Million-Dollar Verdict; University Will Appeal”, Legal Issues in Collegiate Athletics, June 2010 at 7) highlights the importance of treating contract negotiations for coaches and other employees in collegia