Former Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt has agreed to a settlement in his defamation lawsuit against the school, both parties announced on Monday.
"The lawyers who represent the University and Coach Nutt have communicated during the past few weeks to reach an agreement that would allow the parties to resolve Coach Nutt's claim while avoiding the costs and distractions associated with further litigation," a joint statement read. "The parties have reached such an agreement."
Nutt had filed the lawsuit alleging his reputation had been wrongfully harmed in the wake of the athletic department's ongoing NCAA case. He claimed the school tried to pin the NCAA infractions on him by telling reporters in "off the record" conversations that most of the violations came during the Nutt era. Nine of the 13 violations the school was facing at the time came during the Hugh Freeze Era.
"Certain statements made by University employees in January 2016 appear to have contributed to misleading reports about Coach Nutt. To the extent any statements harmed Coach Nutt's reputation, the University apologizes, as this was not the intent," the school said." The NCAA's Notice of Allegations dated January 22, 2016, did not name or implicate Coach Nutt in any misconduct, and it would have been inappropriate for any University employee to suggest otherwise."
"I am pleased to put the lawsuit behind me," Nutt added. "Best wishes to the future of the Ole Miss Football program."
During the lawsuit, Nutt's attorney was the one who discovered - by accident - phone calls that Hugh Freeze made from a university phone to escort services. Freeze resigned as a result of the discovery.
Co-offensive coordinator Matt Luke was promoted to head coach for the season following Freeze's resignation. The Rebels are 3-3 this season, including a 1-2 mark in conference play.
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