Seth Udinski, FISM News
The draconic vaccine mandates continue to dominate national headlines, especially in sports. FISM News has previously reported on the pressure in both the NBA and the NFL to receive the jab. A new report from Washington State University reveals the severity of the mandates at the collegiate level.
On Monday, the university fired five coaches from its football program, including head coach Nick Rolovich, for refusing to get vaccinated. The firing comes as a result of Washington Gov. Jay Inslee setting a Monday deadline for all state employees to receive full inoculation.
Rolovich had applied for a religious exemption from the vaccine mandate but was denied. According to ESPN, reports from the university suggest that his exemption was initially granted by a committee, but then subsequently denied by athletic director Pat Chun. Chun issued a statement after the firing, saying,
This is a disheartening day for our football program. Our priority has been and will continue to be the health and well-being of the young men on our team.
To add further shock to an already saddening report, Rolovich will not receive the remainder of his contract despite his firing, as it will be ruled as “for cause.” The school alleges that he did not fulfill the obligations of his contract and is therefore exempt from receiving the rest of it. Defensive coordinator Jake Dickert will take over as head coach for the Cougars’ upcoming game against BYU.
It remains to be seen how the school will fill the remainder of coaching vacancies in such a short amount of time. What also remains to be seen is whether there is an increase in reports such as this across the nation, of well-meaning employees attempting to exercise a religious and personal right of refusal and losing their job because of it.