Ole Miss, football coach Lane Kiffin file motion to dismiss DeSanto Rollins lawsuit
OXFORD — Ole Miss and football coach Lane Kiffin filed Wednesday a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought against them by DeSanto Rollins, according to documents obtained by The Clarion Ledger. The motion says Rollins, a defensive tackle from Baton Rouge, is still considered to be part of the Rebels' football program.
He has not appeared in a game this season.
Rollins, in the complaint filed in September, alleged that Kiffin kicked him off the team in March while berating him over his mental health issues. He is seeking $10 million in compensatory damages from Kiffin and Ole Miss, and $30 million in punitive damages from Kiffin. He is also seeking a temporary restraining order, as well as an injunction reinstating him, based on the following allegations:
Racial discrimination on the part of Kiffin and Ole Miss
Discrimination on the basis of disability – or perceived disability – on the part of Kiffin and Ole Miss
Sexual discrimination on the part of Ole Miss
Intentional affliction of emotional distress on the part of Kiffin
Negligence and gross negligence on the part of Kiffin and Ole Miss
Kiffin and the university, represented by attorneys from Mayo Mallette as well as Forman, Watkins & Krutz, asked for the complaint to be dismissed in its entirety.
They contended that Kiffin is "not liable for the intentional infliction of emotional distress." They also argued against the legal validity of Rollins' equal protection, discrimination and negligence claims. Finally, Kiffin's legal team said the US District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi should decline supplemental jurisdiction for Rollins' claims that are based on Mississippi state law.
FULL RUNDOWN OF ROLLINS' ALLEGATIONS: Ole Miss player files lawsuit vs Lane Kiffin, accuses coach of berating him amid mental health issues
David Eckert covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at deckert@gannett.com or reach him on Twitter @davideckert98.
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This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Lane Kiffin lawsuit: Coach, Ole Miss file motion to dismiss
