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Wickline case headed to trial in enemy territory
Did Joe Wickline call plays or didn't he? That is the question.
The answer will now be decided by trial. The Austin American-Statesman reported that the Payne County judge in the Oklahoma State case against the Texas assistant coach denied a summary judgement request and the case will go to trial in March.
Oklahoma State is seeking almost $600,000 in liquidated damages, as outlined in Wickline’s contract with his previous employer. Wickline's OSU contract prohibited him from leaving the school to take a lateral position. Texas has argued that Wickline indeed had a hand in the team's play-calling duties during the 2014 season.
That position has come into question after Texas coach Charlie Strong stripped co-offensive coordinator Shawn Watson of play-calling duties following the 2015 season opener in favor of wide receivers coach Jay Norvell.
“There are genuine issues of material fact that justify a trial,” Judge Stephen Kistler wrote in a court document posted Monday, according to the American-Statesman. “Neither party is entitled to judgement as a matter of law.”
Former Texas athletic director Steve Patterson had maintained this was a case between Wickline and OSU, and did not involve the University of Texas, which is not named a party in the suit. Interim Texas athletic director Mike Perrin, a Houston attorney, could attempt to step in and negotiate a settlement.
