Tomorrow: Becket urges appeals court to tackle Washington State University’s religious hostility WSU fired Coach Nick Rolovich after he sought religious exemption from COVID vaccine mandate

WASHINGTON – Becket attorneys, supported by the Department of Justice, will be at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Seattle tomorrow urging the court to hold Washington State University (WSU) accountable for firing a college football coach over his request for a religious exemption from the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. 

In Rolovich v. Washington State University, 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.

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. Last year, a federal district court ruled against Rolovich.

With Becket’s help, Rolovich is now seeking justice at the Ninth Circuit. The Department of Justice, which filed a friend-of-the-court brief in Rolovich’s support, will also present argument supporting reversal of the district court’s decision.  

What: 
Oral Argument in Rolovich v. Washington State University 

 
Arguing before the court: 
Joseph Davis, senior counsel at Becket and lead attorney for Coach Rolovich 

 
When: 
June 10, 2026, at approximately 10:20 a.m. PT
 
Where: 
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
William K. Nakamura U.S. Courthouse, Courtroom 2
1010 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 

Link to livestream: https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/cases/streams-videos/  

A decision is expected in the coming months. Rolovich is also represented by Eric N. Kniffin of Kniffin Law PLLC. 

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