Reassignment Leads To Breach of Contract Finding at Kent State University

An Ohio appeals court has affirmed the ruling of a lower court, which found that Kent State University’s (KSU) decision to reassign an assistant football coach constituted a breach of contract because KSU had to employ the coach as a defensive coordinator under the contract.   The contract in question called for plaintiff James A. Fleming to be employed by KSU as its defensive coordinator for a period of 28 months through June 30, 2012. Fleming's starting salary was $71,500 per year, but