kurt
http://www.al.com/sportsflash/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1058224450237420.xml
Coach files $20M lawsuit against school
The Associated Press 7/14/2003, 6:09 p.m. CT
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- Former Alabama football coach Mike Price on Monday filed a $20 million lawsuit against the university, claiming he was wrongfully fired after allegations arose about his conduct at a golf outing in Florida.
<http://ads1.advance.net/RealMedia/ads/click_nx.ads/www.al.com/xml/story/ap/[$category_feed}/s/2020/@StoryAd?x> The lawsuit alleges Price was denied due process, his civil rights were violated, breach of contract, wrongful termination and fraud.
Price is seeking $10 million in punitive damages and $10 million in compensatory damages. He is seeking the same amounts in a lawsuit against Sports Illustrated, which published an article detailing Price's alleged actions at a topless bar and hotel in Pensacola, Fla., that led to his dismissal.
University President Robert Witt, the Alabama Board of Trustees and the University of Alabama all are named as defendants in the suit. Witt said Monday he had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment.
Price had appealed his firing, but a faculty panel rejected his request for a hearing.
"We gave the university every opportunity to avoid this filing even though they didn't give us the right to be heard," Birmingham attorney Stephen Heninger said. "When they denied (a hearing) after promising it, we didn't have any other choice."
Price came to Alabama from Washington State after last season. He had a seven-year, $10 million contract to coach the Crimson Tide, but had not signed it when Witt fired him May 3.
The university hired Miami Dolphins assistant Mike Shula as its new coach May 8.
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