Ole Miss coach Kennedy settles defamation suit

CINCINNATI (AP) — University of Mississippi basketball coach Andy Kennedy has settled a defamation lawsuit with a cab driver and a valet.

The driver apologized to Kennedy on Tuesday as the trial was beginning and said he’s ready to move on with his life. Details of the settlement are confidential.

Kennedy sued after he was arrested in Cincinnati in 2008 over an altercation with the cabbie that was witnessed by the valet.

He denied punching and taunting the driver but later pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct. He apologized to the cab driver and valet but didn’t drop his lawsuit, and they countersued.

Both suits were settled. Kennedy has been coach at Ole Miss since March 2006.