LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -Former men’s basketball coach Billy Gillispie and the University of Kentucky have settled their cases over his firing for nearly $3 million, the school said Tuesday.
Gillispie was dismissed earlier this year and sued for breach of contract and fraud in May, seeking at least $6 million. The university countersued.
He had not signed a contract during his two years coaching the Wildcats to a 40-27 record but was working under a memorandum of understanding. He charged that he should have been paid $1.5 million per year for four of the five years left on the deal.
In a statement, the university said the lawsuits were settled through mediation and that Gillispie would receive a little more than $2.98 million. Another $260,000 will be paid by the university for attorney’s fees, as well as $5,600 in mediation fees.
have the case behind him.
“Although the decision to sue was a difficult one for him, the fact a settlement was reached at a much higher dollar amount than Coach Gillispie was ever offered by the school vindicates his decision,” Anaipakos said.
The university’s statement said it would have no further comment, but the agreement says the settlement is not an admission of liability but made only to avoid further expense, controversy and litigation.
The lawsuit, which Gillispie filed in federal court in Dallas, also contended the school’s athletics association was in breach of contract and committed fraud because Kentucky never intended to honor the agreement.
M, where he was 70-26 in three seasons with the Aggies and made the NCAA tournament twice, including the Sweet 16 in 2007.
His last season with the Wildcats, they posted a 22-14 mark, tying for the second most losses in the program’s history.
After Gillispie’s departure, Kentucky hired ex-Memphis coach John Calipari, who signed an eight-year, $31.65 million deal.
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