WSU football coach could face choice between getting vaccinated or losing his job

The head football coach at Washington State University (WSU), Nick Rolovich, has previously made it known that he is not vaccinated against COVID-19. With new rules in place from Gov. Inslee, though, he could very well be presented with a choice to either get the vaccine, or lose his job.

Inslee: ‘No reason to abandon a career’ over vaccine mandate

The governor’s new requirements mandate that K-12 and higher education employees in Washington get the COVID vaccine, as well as most child care and early learning providers who serve children from multiple households. Inslee also made it clear that college coaches are included among that group.

Rolovich has been quiet on his exact reasoning for opting not to get vaccinated, stating only that it’s a “private” decision. But moving forward, his hand may be forced, with exemptions limited to either religious or medical reasons. Personal or philosophical exceptions are not permitted.

And as WSU noted in a statement issued shortly after Inslee’s announcement, “full vaccination by Oct. 18 will be considered a condition of employment.”

“We will work to ensure the mandates in the governor’s proclamation are followed,” the university said.

Rolovich was not allowed to attend a Pac-12 football media day in late July, which required all in-person media day participants to be fully vaccinated. He instead opted to participate remotely.

“While I have made my own decision, I respect that every individual — including our coaches, staff and student-athletes — can make his or her own decision regarding the COVID-19 vaccine,” he said at the time.

Walsh: ‘Very questionable’ whether WSU can enforce vaccine mandate

Rolovich also answered questions from reporters on Thursday. While stating that he plans on “following (Inslee’s) mandate,” he did not indicate whether that meant he would actually get the vaccine, or petition for a religious or health exemption.

WSU is also requiring all students to be vaccinated before the start of the fall semester as well.

This will be Rolovich’s second season as the head coach at WSU. He was announced as the new head coach in January 2020, replacing Mike Leach. Before that, from 2016-19, Rolovich was the head football coach for the University of Hawaii.

Rolovich is one Washington state employee scheduled to make more than $3 million in 2021, along with University of Washington football coach Jimmy Lake.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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