The lawsuits of two former FAMU coaches suing the university for breach of contract are headed for a jury trial this fall.
The cases involve Clemon Johnson, former head basketball coach, who compiled a 32-62 record, was fired in April 2014 in the third year of a four-year contract, and Earl Holmes, former head football coach, went 6-16 before he was fired four days before homecoming in 2014. Johnson claims he is owed $150,000 (his final year’s salary), while Holmes says he’s owed $400,000 (two year’s salary). Both coaches filed civil suits against FAMU in 2015.
FAMU contends that neither Johnson’s or Holmes’ contracts were guaranteed, and both contained language that provided the university the right to terminate the agreements with a 60-day notice. In 2017, Leon County Circuit Courts ruled in favor of FAMU. The rulings were overturned on appeal.