Lane Kiffin and the University of Mississippi filled a motion to dismiss a lawsuit from defensive tackle DeSanto Rollins on Wednesday. It seeks $40 million in damages because Lane Kiffin allegedly “ignored” signs of depression and subjected the player to “grossly reckless, and indifferent” treatment.
Rollins’ lawsuit claims that Kiffin treated him differently than a “white football player,” “white female softball players” and “female volleyball players” who dealt with similar mental health struggles. The legal team representing Ole Miss and its head football coach argue that the Plaintiff “has not alleged Kiffin treated him differently than other similarly situated individuals, much less that he did so with discriminatory intent because of Plaintiff’s race or sex.”
Filed in September, the lawsuit claims that Rollins was kicked off of the team after missing team activities, including practice, during a “mental health crisis.” He took a break from the program.
The Rebels push back on that claim. Rollins is still on scholarship with the university.
Lane Kiffin was frustrated with Desanto Rollins.
However, he (legally) recorded a meeting with Kiffin. Audio of the incident leaked publicly for the first time on Thursday.
Kiffin explicitly states that Rollins is “off the team.” He also calls him a “p—-” who is hiding behind “s—” and not showing up for work.
Kiffin says that he was trying to meet with Rollins for two weeks, but Rollins did oblige. Rollins says in the audio clip that he was not ready to meet with the head coach.
At that point, Kiffin asks Rollins: “What f—— world do you live in?”
Rollins, joined the program in 2020, recorded three tackles in three games. He is seeking up to $10 million in compensatory damages and up to $30 million in punitive damages from Ole Miss and Kiffin, as well as a temporary restraining order.
Kiffin and the Rebels are actively working to get the lawsuit thrown out.