Football coach fired by Washington State after refusal to submit vaccination status

Nick Rolovich, along with four of his assistant coaches, failed to meet the October 18 deadline and now the state's highest paid employee, with a $3 million salary, has been terminated.

Rolovich began his career with the Washington State Cougars in 2020.

"This is a disheartening day for our football program. Our priority has been and will continue to be the health and well-being of the young men on our team. The leadership on our football team is filled with young men of character, selflessness and resiliency, and we are confident these same attributes will help guide this program as we move forward," WSU athletic director Pat Chun said in a statement.

WSU president Kirk Schulz added to the statement, saying: "While much has been made of the relatively small number of university employees who are not complying with the Governor's mandate, we are immensely gratified that nearly 90 percent of WSU employees and 97 percent of our students are now vaccinated. WSU students, faculty, and staff understand the importance of getting vaccinated and wearing masks so that we can safely return to in-person learning and activities."

"I am proud of all those members of our community who have set the example and taken the steps to protect not just themselves, but their fellow Cougs."

Rolovich and assistant coaches Ricky Logo, John Richardson, Craig Stuzmann and Mark Weber, are among many state and city workers that lost their livelihoods on Monday due to their insistence that they have freedom to make their own medical choices.

Jake Dickert, Washington State defensive coordinator, is expected to take over as the interim head coach.