College football coach seeks justice in court after being fired for his faith Washington State University fired head coach for requesting religious exemption to COVID vaccine

WASHINGTON – A college football coach asked a federal appeals court late yesterday to hold Washington State University (WSU) accountable for firing him over his request for a religious exemption from the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. In Rolovich v. Washington State University, Coach Nick Rolovich, former head coach of the WSU Cougars, requested a religious exemption from Washington’s vaccine mandate, which was permitted by the state’s rules. In response, WSU denigrated his beliefs and fired him rather than accommodate his beliefs. The firing was part of a premeditated effort by university officials to push Rolovich out over his religious convictions about the vaccine. After a lower court declined to hold WSU accountable, Rolovich and Becket have appealed to the Ninth Circuit. 

Nick Rolovich, a practicing Catholic, served as head coach of the WSU Cougars for nearly two seasons, where he earned respect for his leadership, work ethic, and commitment to his players both on and off the field. In August 2021, following a statewide COVID-19 vaccine mandate for public employees, Rolovich discerned that taking the vaccine would violate his conscience as guided by his faith. Citing prayer, personal study, advice from a priest, and Catholic teachings on therapeutic proportionality and complicity with abortion, Rolovich concluded he could not in good conscience receive the vaccine. He submitted a formal request for a religious exemption to the mandate in accordance with university policy. 

“I gave my blood, sweat, and tears to WSU, only for the administration to fire me for my faith,” said Nick Rolovich, senior offensive assistant coach at the University of California at Berkeley. “I wasn’t looking for a fight—I just asked to live out my beliefs. I hope the court will ensure that no coach or player can be forced to choose between their faith and the game they love.” 

Although a university review panel determined that Rolovich’s religious beliefs were genuine and initially approved the exemption, WSU leadership intervened to reverse the decision. Internal communications revealed a coordinated plan—referred to privately by WSU officials as the “Rolo strategy”—to ensure that Rolovich’s requested religious exemption would be denied. Despite proposed accommodations from WSU’s health and safety staff, the university fired Rolovich in violation of his contract in 2021, citing opposition from donors and supposed harms to WSU’s “brand.” In 2022, Rolovich filed a lawsuit against WSU leadership to hold it accountable for firing him over his religious beliefs. Earlier this year, a federal district court in Washington ruled against Rolovich. With Becket’s help, Rolovich appealed his case to the Ninth Circuit.

“Washington State sacked its own coach for standing firm in his faith,” said Joseph Davis, senior counsel at Becket. “In America, you have to accommodate religion—not target it just because some on the sidelines complain. The Ninth Circuit should hold Washington State accountable for what it did—and uphold Coach Rolovich’s and every American’s right to stay true to their faith on the job.”

A hearing in the case is expected later this year or early next. Rolovich is also represented by Eric N. Kniffin of Kniffin Law PLLC and Eric J. Seese of Frost Brown Todd LLP.  

For more information or to arrange an interview with a Becket attorney, contact Ryan Colby at [email protected] or 202-349-7219.   

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