Rolovich out as WSU head coach since vaccine exemption can't be accommodated

click to enlarge Rolovich out as WSU head coach since vaccine exemption can't be accommodated
Young Kwak photo
Washington State University head football coach Nick Rolovich has been fired after his request for an exemption from a state vaccine mandate was declined.

Rolovich had requested a religious exemption from Gov. Jay Inslee's state mandate that public employees get a COVID-19 vaccine.

For state employees whose exemptions were granted, accommodations such as working from home or in non-public spaces are the main solutions, NW News Network reported today. But for those who have public jobs, wearing a mask and getting tested regularly are no longer accommodations the state accepts.
click to enlarge Rolovich out as WSU head coach since vaccine exemption can't be accommodated
Nick Rolovich

Because of that, it was announced Oct. 18 that Rolovich could not do his public-facing job. Four other assistant coaches who also couldn't be accommodated were let go, according to the university.

Rolovich was the highest-paid state employee at $3 million per year, and was named to the top coaching spot in January 2020 with a five-year agreement.

WSU defensive coordinator Jake Dickert was named acting head coach.

"This is a disheartening day for our football program," WSU Athletics Director Pat Chun said in a news release. "Our priority has been and will continue to be the health and well-being of the young men on our team."
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Samantha Wohlfeil

Samantha Wohlfeil is the Inlander's News Editor, a role she moved into in April 2024 after working at the paper as a news writer since 2017. She oversees the paper's news section and leads annual special sections, from our Sustainability Issue to our philanthropy issue known as Give Guide. As time allows, she...