Kent State sues ex-coach over departure

Associated Press

RAVENNA

Kent State is suing former men’s basketball coach Geno Ford for more than $1.2 million in damages over his recent departure for Bradley University.

The lawsuit filed April 26 in Portage County Common Pleas Court alleges Ford had no permission to terminate his Kent State contract, which was scheduled to expire March 31, 2015, and that he breached his contract and his duty to Kent State.

“Kent State honors its agreements, and it expects others to do the same,” Rodd Sanders, an attorney representing Kent State, said Thursday.

The lawsuit also seeks more than $25,000 in compensatory damages and unspecified punitive damages from Bradley, alleging that the in Peoria, Ill., school interfered with the Kent State contract and “intentionally induced Ford to breach the agreement.” The lawsuit also alleges that Bradley did not pay Kent State an early departure fee.

Ford said in a statement Thursday that “it is unfortunate this has turned into a legal matter.” He said, “During the process, everything was handled professionally and appropriately.”

Ford was Kent State’s head coach from April 2008 through March 27 of this year, when Bradley announced him as its new coach. He was earning a total base and supplemental salary of $300,000 a year.