• Loading stock data...
Saturday, April 26, 2025
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

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
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jan 21, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; College Football Playoff executive director Rich Clark speaks during the CFP National Championship Host Committee handoff press conference at The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Savannah Ballroom.

CFP Meetings End With No Major Changes to 12-Team Playoff—for Now

For now, the complicated seeding process will remain in place.
Dec 30, 2022; Glendale AZ, USA; The College Football Playoff logo on the field at State Farm Stadium, the site of the 2022 CFP Semifinal between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Michigan Wolverines and Super Bowl 57 (LVII).

CFP Format Questions Loom Over Spring Meetings

The CFP management committee is meeting in Dallas this week.
Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) throws during the second half of the College Football Playoff first round game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Dec. 22, 2024. Ohio State won 42-17.

Former Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava Will Transfer to UCLA

The news ends a weeklong saga for the embattled quarterback.
Refs

College Football Cracking Down on Fake Injuries

Players have allegedly faked injuries for free timeouts and slowing opposing offenses.

Featured Today

Apr 13, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Jake Mangum (28) scores a run against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The Rays Groundskeepers Are Adjusting to Life Outside the Dome

After nearly three decades in a dome, Tampa groundskeepers were forced outside.
April 25, 2025

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
April 21, 2025

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.
Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Paige Bueckers is interviewed by ESPN after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards
April 21, 2025

ESPN’s WNBA Coverage Mirrors the League’s Stunning Growth

“I don’t think we stand still in our coverage of women’s sports,” says Rowe.
Jan 15, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New Jersey Devils center Michael McLeod (20) tries to hold off Boston Bruins center Jakub Lauko (94) during the second period at TD Garden.

Mistrial Declared for Five Ex-NHL Canadians Accused of Sexual Assault

The trial started Tuesday over an alleged 2018 incident in a hotel room.
Kendrick Lamar
April 18, 2025

Drake Lawsuit Says Kendrick Lamar Defamed Him At Super Bowl

Drake says taking out the word “pedophile” didn’t erase the defamation.
Jan 20, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart (79) reacts after allowing a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period at Wells Fargo Center
April 22, 2025

Trial Begins for Five Ex-NHL Canadians Accused of Sexual Assault

The players were on Canada’s junior national team during the alleged incident.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

This week, Two-time Super Bowl Champion and CBS NFL analyst Logan Ryan joins us to talk the business of sports on our third installment of Portfolio Players.
Reilly Opelka
April 12, 2025

Tennis Player Testifies ATP Threatened Him For Supporting Lawsuit

The tour denied the allegation in a Friday court hearing.
NWSL
April 3, 2025

Boston Beats Legal Challenge to $200 Million NWSL Stadium Renovation

Demolition had begun before the case went to trial.
A view of the FanDuel Sportsbook betting area at Belterra Park Cincinnati.
April 2, 2025

FanDuel’s PE Backers Fire Back at Founder’s Legal Fight Over 2018 Sale

The legal dispute stems from the 2018 sale of 61% of FanDuel.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; The ESPN logo at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
exclusive
March 22, 2025

ESPN Is Accused of Harassment, Retaliation in Legal Letter From Exec Editor

Cristina Daglas has been on administrative leave since January.