WSU Fires Head Football Coach Nick Rolovich For Failing To Meet Vaccine Mandate

By Rachel Sun

Washington State University head football coach Nick Rolovich was terminated Monday after he failed to comply with Governor Jay Inslee’s vaccine mandate. Rolovich had applied for a religious exemption but was denied. Four of his assistants were also fired.

WSU Athletic Director Pat Chun described the situation as “disheartening,” saying, “Our football team is hurting. Our W-S-U community is fractured. Today will have a lasting impact on the young men on our team and the remaining coaches and staff.”

Chun said defensive coordinator Jake Dickert will be elevated to acting head coach. The 42-year-old Rolovich was the highest-paid state employee with a salary of more than $3 million dollars.

He had said he wouldn’t get vaccinated but wouldn’t specify his reasons. Rolovich was fired for cause, which means the university does not have to honor the rest of his contract, although lawsuits over the decision are likely.

Rolovich was hired from Hawaii two years ago.

Washington State has won its past three games and is 4-3 this season, including a 34-31 win over Stanford last Saturday. He finishes with a 5-6 record at the Pullman campus in southeastern Washington