Campanelli Files $5-Million Suit over Firing
Lou Campanelli, former University of California basketball coach, filed a $5-million lawsuit Wednesday against the school, claiming his dismissal violated due process rights and damaged his reputation so badly that he cannot find a job.
“Pretty shabby stuff from a world-famous university purporting to teach concepts of fairness and equity,” said Campanelli’s attorney, former San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto.
The suit was filed in federal court and names as defendants University of California regents, Cal Athletic Director Bob Bockrath and Dan Boggan, vice chancellor at the university.
Mike Smith, Cal’s assistant chancellor for legal affairs, said the university did nothing wrong and would defend itself in court.
“We have never denied that Lou made some valuable contributions to the university,” Smith said. “There were other overriding reasons why the athletic department wanted to make a change.”
Campanelli coached at Cal for seven years. He was fired with 10 games remaining last season.
Bockrath said Campanelli was dismissed because his caustic style had left players demoralized.
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