Ole Miss, football coach Lane Kiffin file motion to dismiss $40M lawsuit - ESPN

Attorneys for Ole Miss and football coach Lane Kiffin filed a motion Wednesday to dismiss a lawsuit that a player filed against them in September, according to court documents.

Ole Miss defensive tackle DeSanto Rollins, who said he was kicked off the team for missing practices and meetings during a «mental health crisis,» is suing the university and Kiffin for failure to provide equal protection, racial and sexual discrimination and multiple other allegations, according to the lawsuit.

In a written brief in support of Kiffin, his attorneys argued that Kiffin and Ole Miss «are immune» from some of Rollins' claims, «and his remaining allegations fail to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.»

Rollins, a backup lineman whose career has been marred by injuries, is seeking $10 million in compensatory damages and $30 million in punitive damages.

The lawsuit alleges that Kiffin intentionally took adverse action against Rollins «on account of race for requesting and taking a mental health break, but not taking adverse action against white student-athletes» for the same request. It alleges sexual discrimination on the basis that Ole Miss has not taken «adverse action against female student-athletes for requesting and taking a mental health break.»

The attorneys echoed Kiffin's only statement on the matter, which was that Rollins was never kicked off the team.

«While Plaintiff alleges Kiffin 'has never kicked a white football player off the team for requesting or taking a break,' he does not allege any white football player requested a 'mental health break' or refused to meet with Kiffin for three weeks,» the document stated.

«Plaintiff also alleges Kiffin 'allowed a white football player who had been removed from the