Billy Joe to sue FAMU

Cleared by the NCAA, former Florida A&M coach Billy Joe intends to file
suit today against his former school.

Joe was officially cleared today by the NCAA in an
infractions report detailing massive academic
improprieties at the school. Sixty-seven athletes
competed at the school while ineligible.

Joe and two assistants were fired on June 14 "due to
violation of NCAA rules" according to the school. But
the NCAA specifically said Wednesday that the veteran
coach had nothing to do with the violations that are
detailed in the infractions report. Joe's lawyer Don
Jackson said his client would sue the school for at
least $270,000, the amount remaining on Joe's contract
when he was terminated.

"It wasn't official until today," Jackson said.
"Schools that had an interest in hiring him had been a
little bit leery. Now maybe the fact that he is being
formally cleared will help move things along. He's a
decent man that's been treated very indecently."

Joe was considered one of the best coaches in Division
I-AA. In 11 years at Florida A&M, he was 86-46 with
four Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles and seven
postseason appearances. He is 237-108-4 in 31 years as
a head coach.

The school was put on probation for four years. The
A&M football program lost 14 scholarships over those
seasons. The A&M athletic department lost 30
scholarships in 11 sports. The school was also charged
with a lack of institutional control by the NCAA.

The NCAA infractions report states that the school's
former compliance director had "no formal training
...".

Joe filed notice of a lawsuit, per state law, in July.

"We're all aware of that," said a Florida A&M
spokesman.

Jackson intended to formally file the suit before the
close of business on Wednesday.