Kevin Roberts coaching at the Pac-12 Championships (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Kevin Roberts, an assistant wrestling coach at Oregon State for 11 years, is suing his former employer over accusations regarding his firing in August.
Roberts filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Eugene, contending that Oregon State breached his contract in violation of his civil rights, The Oregonian -- the daily newspaper of Portland -- reported Sunday.
Roberts, who was promoted to associate head wrestling coach in 2016 after having joined the coaching staff ten years earlier, contends he was falsely accused of allowing or participating in derogatory remarks made by members of the wrestling team towards one of their teammates, according to the suit.
In spring 2016, one of the wrestlers complained to university administrators that he was offended by the statements allegedly made by Roberts, interpreted to be "derogatory towards his race and/or religion,'' the suit said.
The university concluded that Roberts had either participated in the offensive banter among the students or neglected his supervisory role, and terminated his contract.
Roberts claimed the university's investigation was "cursory and inadequate.'' In July -- one month before his dismissal -- he had signed an employment agreement to remain as assistant coach through June 30, 2018, earning an annual salary of $108,000.
He was notified of firing on Aug. 8, effective Aug. 23.
In his lawsuit, Roberts claimed he was not allowed to contest the firing, and had been allowed to work for Oregon State -- including actively recruiting potential wrestlers for the program -- right up to his dismissal.
Roberts is seeking damages for economic loss, estimating $18,000 in lost wages with a $9,000 per month accrual.
A native of Spokane, Wash., Roberts had wrestled for the now-defunct mat program at University of Oregon in the mid-1990s, where he was a two-time NCAA All-American and three-time Pac 10 conference championships finalist at 118 pounds. He was team captain as a senior, and had earned academic honors.
Prior to joining the coaching staff at Oregon State in 2006, Roberts had served as an assistant wrestling coach at North Idaho College and University of Wyoming, then had been strength and conditioning coach at University of Minnesota.
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