Report: Text messages from lawsuit against Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin released
In September, Ole Miss defensive tackle DeSanto Rollins filed a lawsuit against the university and head coach Lane Kiffin. Rollins alleged he didn’t receive proper care from the university for mental health problems he dealt with last season and was kicked off the team recently.
On Friday, Front Office Sports provided further details on the developing situation. Specifically, the outlet released texts between Rollins and Ole Miss head football strength and conditioning coach Nick Savage. The conversation occurred shortly after Rollins’ initial dispute with Kiffin on Feb. 27.
“Hey coach, I decided it was best for me to take a mental break from everything and resume after I meet with my doctor and get everything in line,” Rollins texted Savage.
“I am so sorry to hear you have been going through it!!! You doing ok?” Savage responded. “Anything we can do to help!?”
In another text exchange filed in court, Rollins’ mother messaged Pat Jernigan, Ole Miss’ assistant A.D. for sports medicine and head football athletic trainer.
“I feel that my son DeSanto is going through a mental health crises [sic],” Rollins’ mother wrote on Feb. 27. “Anxiety, depression, and bouts of crying. Please see that he speak with a counselor and I will have him monitored as well.”
“I will talk with him today,” Jernigan texted back.
Lane Kiffin sends message to DeSanto Rollins
On March 24, Kiffin sent a text directly to Rollins.
“Ok since you continue to never respond to any of my calls or texts just take as long as you want/need to do whatever you want to do,” Kiffin wrote. “We will support whatever you want to do. I have never in my 25 year career had a player that just doesn’t respond or communicate with me as their coach but that’s fine. Whatever you think is best.”
Rollins eventually responded to Kiffin, claiming he could not directly contact him anymore and attached his attorney’s contact information.
Rollins is seeking $10 million in compensatory damages and $30 million in punitive damages with the suit, according to ESPN’s Heather Dinich. He’s suing Kiffin for multiple allegations such as failing to provide equal protection and racial and sexual discrimination.
The university initially addressed the matter in a statement to ESPN, saying Rollins wasn’t kicked off the team and is still on his scholarship. Kiffin declined comment and deferred to the university’s statement.
However, after the lawsuit proceeded, Kiffin moved to dismiss the case. The motion was honored and the lawsuit was temporarily put on pause, following a one-page order for a stay from further action from Magistrate Judge Roy Percy.