Tuesday October 3, 2023
Law

Ole Miss Football Player Files $40M Lawsuit Against Lane Kiffin, School

  • DeSanto Rollins makes a series of allegations in a federal lawsuit filed on Thursday.
  • Ole Miss says Rollins “remains on scholarship.”
Lane Kiffin
Denny Simmons/USA TODAY NETWORK
Front Office Sports Today

NBC Could Get In On College Football Playoffs

NBC is exploring broadcasting a slice of the expanded CFP in 2026.
Listen Now
October 3, 2023 | Podcast
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

Ole Miss football player DeSanto Rollins alleged head coach Lane Kiffin was “malicious, intentional, willful, wanton, grossly reckless, and indifferent” to Rollins’ mental health in a federal lawsuit that seeks $40 million in damages. 

The lawsuit, filed on Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, listed Kiffin and Ole Miss as defendants.

According to the complaint, Rollins, who remains listed on Ole Miss’ roster, alleges that Kiffin “ignored” signs indicating he was suffering from depression following an injury last season, further exacerbated by his grandmother’s recent death earlier this year.

“Desanto was never removed from the football team and remains on scholarship,” Ole Miss Athletics said in a statement to Front Office Sports. “In addition, he continues to have the opportunity to receive all of the resources and advantages that are afforded a student-athlete at the university.”

WCBI-TV was the first outlet to report the lawsuit filing. 

Rollins alleged that defensive line coach Randall Joyner urged Rollins to transfer in a meeting last November. After Rollins chose to remain at Ole Miss, the lawsuit alleges Rollins informed Kiffin he was going to “take a mental health break because of the verbal abuse from Kiffin and the mental anxiety, depression, and worthlessness he was feeling.”

According to the lawsuit, Rollins sought counseling from an athletic department psychologist and confided in other staffers before arranging another meeting with Kiffin in March.

“I don’t give a f–k what your mom says or what you think. In the real f—ing world, you show up to work. Then you say, ‘Hey, I have mental issues. I can’t do anything for two weeks,’” Kiffin purportedly told Rollins at the meeting. “… What f—ing world do you live in?”

“It’s called being a p—-y, it’s called hiding behind st-t, and not showing up to work, you show up when your boss [asks].”

Kiffin then acted like he was calling Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter, according to the lawsuit.

“I am not showing up to work for the next two weeks,” Kiffin said per the complaint. 

Moments later, Kiffin allegedly slammed the phone down and yelled, “Fired.”

The lawsuit alleges Rollins, who is Black, was denied his 14th Amendment rights of equal protection under the law. He also alleged rights under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 were violated since white student-athletes didn’t face retaliation for seeking mental health breaks. 

Rollins’ attorney also cited Title IX sexual discrimination as one of the eight claims in the lawsuit. The lawsuit stated female student-athletes who took mental health breaks faced no consequences.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Big-12

Texas, Oklahoma's Big 12 Exit Could Have Cost $60M More

The school's move to the SEC is costing about $100 million.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
Sponsored

How Daktronics Helps Elite Athletic Programs Secure Top Talent

How colleges are utilizing Daktronics' displays to elevate recruiting.

WBD Pursues ‘Different’ Strategy For Sports on Max

Company to place all of its live sports on new streaming tier
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

NBC Could Get In On College Football Playoffs

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

An advocacy group is filing an NLRB case against the Ivy League over athlete compensation.

Advocacy Group Files Federal Labor Charge Against Ivy League

It’s the latest in a flurry of NLRB cases over amateurism.
The Colorado Buffaloes played in the most-watched game of Week 5.
October 3, 2023

Colorado Ratings Bonanza Continues Despite Two Consecutive Losses

The Buffs’ least-watched game this season was still the most-watched this week.
Football analyst and PFF investor Chris Collinsworth talks to man in front of computers
October 3, 2023

Cris Collinsworth 'Lost a Lot of Sleep' Over Pro Football Focus Leadership Issues

New book details why it’s no longer a “happy place to work.”
NBC is interested in media rights to the expanded College Football Playoff.
exclusive
October 2, 2023

NBC Is Interested in Expanded College Football Playoff Media Rights

NBC is one of the networks pitching the CFP, a source confirmed.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago
Fanatics
New York
Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, Inc.
USA - Multiple Locations
Brett Favre

Brett Favre to Give First Sworn Testimony in Mississippi Welfare Case

A deposition of Brett Favre has been scheduled for Oct. 26.
Panini
October 2, 2023

Arbitrator Rules Panini Can Continue Selling NFLPA Products

Panini can continue to sell NFLPA-licensed products.
Mississippi tackle Michael Oher poses with his family after being selected as the number 23 overall pick to the Baltimore Ravens in the 2009 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
September 29, 2023

Judge Ends Michael Oher’s Conservatorship with Tuohy Family

Oher claims the Tuohys misrepresented their legal relationship to him.
Patrick Reed
September 27, 2023

Judge Dismisses Both of Patrick Reed’s Defamation Cases

A federal judge dismissed both of Patrick Reed’s defamation cases.
NFL concussions
September 27, 2023

The NFL’s $1B Battle Over Concussion Settlement Heats Up

The NFL is seeking at least $1.2 billion from its risk carriers.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is among the FTX endorsers who have reached a settlement for their roles in promoting the crypto exchange.
September 18, 2023

Trevor Lawrence Settles Lawsuit Over FTX Crypto Endorsement

Lawrence has settled while other FTX athlete endorsers still face lawsuits.
Senate Hearings
September 13, 2023

Senate Subpoenas Saudi Investment Fund Records in PGA Tour Inquiry

Senate hearing reveals deep concerns about the potential PGA Tour-LIV deal.