Court rules former coach's lawsuit against Texas can proceed

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 2:08 a.m. ET

foxsports

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A state appeals court has ruled that a race and gender discrimination lawsuit filed against the University of Texas by former women's track coach Bev Kearney can proceed.

Kearney resigned under pressure of being fired in January 2013 after school officials confronted her about a relationship with one of her athletes a decade earlier.

Kearney sued, arguing that as a black woman she was held to a tougher standard than a white male coach. Shortly after Kearney resigned, Texas revealed that former assistant football coach Major Applewhite was reprimanded, but not fired, for a relationship with a female student trainer on a 2009 bowl trip.

Tuesday's ruling by the Third Court of Appeals dismissed Kearney's claim she was fired in retaliation for complaining of abusive behavior by colleagues and administrators.