Fired NMSU basketball coach says he was 'sacrificial lamb' - ESPN

Former New Mexico State basketball coach Greg Heiar said he did not know about hazing allegations within his program when was fired with cause in February and accused the school of terminating him because it needed a «sacrificial lamb» after a series of incidents, according to arbitration documents obtained by ESPN.

Heiar's termination followed a decision by Dan Arvizu, the school's former chancellor, to cancel the season in February after former player Mike Peake had been involved in a self-defense shooting in November and the revelation of a hazing investigation tied to accusations of sexual assault and harassment within the team.

In June, NMSU agreed to pay $8 million combined to former NMSU player Deuce Benjamin and his father, William, and former NMSU player Shak Odunewu.

In its response to Heiar and his legal team, NMSU denied the bulk of the former head coach's allegations, according to the arbitration documents, but it also said the coach «refused to cooperate» with the hazing investigation prior to his termination for cause.

Heiar said he was unaware of hazing allegations within his program, even though the school had been notified more than a month before informing him about an investigation attached to those accusations. In its response to Heiar, the school said that it could not inform Heiar or any coaches about the allegations, which were conveyed to school officials in December, due to Title IX and school policies.

Heiar is seeking an undetermined sum for breach of contract and actions that were «willful, wanton, and with reckless disregard.»

«Coach Heiar has suffered and continues to suffer monetary and/or economic damages… that have and will continue to prevent him from similar gainful employment in the