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Tennessee defensive coordinator Bob Shoop says lawsuit won't be a distraction

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee defensive coordinator Bob Shoop doesn't expect a lawsuit filed against him by his former employer to be a distraction as the Volunteers' defense attempts to bounce back from a disappointing season.

Penn State sued Shoop for breach of contract over the circumstances of his January 2016 departure. Shoop has filed a counterclaim indicating he was forced out rather than leaving Penn State on his own.

"It's not a distraction at all," Shoop said. "The only time it's any distraction is when you guys bring it up."

The lawsuit filed by Penn State earlier this year says Shoop was required to pay the university half his base salary for the remaining term of his contract if he decided to leave early.