Washington State football coach Nick Rolovich has been fired by the university for refusing to comply with the state's COVID vaccine edict.
The Democrat Governor Jay Inslee mandated that all state employees by fully vaccinated by October 18th.
Rolovich, who is the state’s highest paid employee with a salary around $3 million a year, had requested a religious exemption to the mandate but was denied.
The school put out a statement saying “due to the requirements set forth in Washington Governor Jay Inslee's Proclamation 21-14.1, Nick Rolovich is no longer able to fulfull the duties as the football head coach at Washington State University.”
Washington State athletics director Pat Chun announced the firing of Rolovich along with four football assistant coaches who also refused the vaccine.
Chun said at the press conference:
“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. The leadership on our football team is filled with young men of character, selflessness and resiliency and we are confident these same attributes will help guide this program as we move forward.”
Washington State University President Kirk Schulz added:
“while much has been made of the relatively small number of university employees who are not complying with the Governor’s mandate, we are immensely gratified that nearly 90 percent of WSU employees and 97 percent of our students are now vaccinated. WSU students, faculty, and staff understand the importance of getting vaccinated and wearing masks so that we can safely return to in-person learning and activities. I am proud of all those members of our community who have set the example and taken the steps to protect not just themselves, but their fellow Cougs.”
Back in July, Rolovich made clear that he would not get the vaccine “for reasons which will remain private" adding that he would “not comment further on my decision."
After Washington State's win over Stanford on Saturday, he reiterated his stance that he would not get the vaccine, and indicated that he was waiting on a response to his exemption request.
Rolovich finishes his WSU career with a record of 5-6.