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http://normantranscript.com/local/x1552634033/OSU-coach-sued-over-firing
August 13, 2011
OSU coach sued over firing
By Anita Pere The Norman Transcript
STILLWATER The athletic rivalry between Oklahomas state universities is well known but this week it took an odd legal twist.
A civil damages lawsuit filed Thursday against Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State University football coach, and his wife, Kristen, claims a carpenter was fired by Gundy for showing up on the job at the couples home wearing a University of Oklahoma baseball jersey.
Gundys attorney said Friday the football coach denies the workers claims.
Brent Loveland, a carpenter in Choctaw, is seeking damages totaling more than $10,000. Loveland said he had a verbal contract with Gundy to remodel the couples Stillwater home for an estimated $80,000 over 13 weeks.
Lovelands lawsuit says when he showed up for work last spring wearing an OU baseball shirt, the Cowboys coach responded with profanity and kicked him off the job.
Mike asked, How dare you come into my house and offend my wife, the suit states.
When Loveland asked what he was taking about, Mike responded, That f---ing shirt you have on, the suit says.
Gundy told him to pack his things and leave, the suit claims.
Loveland apologized and offered to turn the shirt inside out, but Gundy refused and insisted Loveland pack his s--t and leave, the suit says.
During the confrontation, Mike let loose a string of cursing that would make a sailor blush, according to the lawsuit.
Lovelands lawsuit contends he dressed in the dark at 4 a.m. to go to the Stillwater job and didnt realize he had grabbed a shirt promoting OSUs Bedlam rival.
As it turns out, his random choice in the dark that morning of what shirt to wear was unfortunate, Lovelands lawsuit said.
The Gundys hired Loveland after seeing his carpentry work at Mike Gundys parents home in Midwest City, the suit states. Lovelands attorney Edward White said today Gundy and Loveland had a verbal contract that would have earned Loveland more than $80,000 had he been allowed to perform the 13 weeks of work they discussed for the main floor of the couples Stillwater home.
There also was potential for Loveland to earn more by working on the couples basement, the suit claims.
They did not discuss proper work attire or school affiliation, the suit says.
Loveland figures he is out at least $30,000 because he turned down other jobs to work at the Gundys home, White said.
This was a big job for which he had blocked out a significant period of time and didnt have other jobs lined up, so he was out of work for quite a while, White said.
Im an OSU guy, so this is not a vendetta. This is simply a gentleman whos a small business owner, he depends on his work for his livelihood and he didnt get paid for a job where we think he was unreasonably terminated, White said.
Though Loveland was to have started the work in March, the case wasnt ready to file in court until this week, White said.
Loveland declined to comment.
Gavin Lang, coordinator of media relations for OSU football, said today Gundy could not comment for this article because he was on the practice field this morning.
OSU spokeswoman Carrie Hulsey-Greene referred the NewsPress to attorney Willie Baker for comment. Bakers office issued the following statement:
On behalf of Coach Gundy, while I cannot discuss the specifics of pending litigation, I deny the allegations being made and welcome the opportunity to fully resolve the matter.
The construction worker may seek a change of venue later due to the notoriety of defendants in Payne County, and the expected attendant difficulty in selecting an unbiased jury, among other factors, the lawsuit claims.
After all Coach Gundy is a man. He can take it! ROFL
August 13, 2011
OSU coach sued over firing
By Anita Pere The Norman Transcript
STILLWATER The athletic rivalry between Oklahomas state universities is well known but this week it took an odd legal twist.
A civil damages lawsuit filed Thursday against Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State University football coach, and his wife, Kristen, claims a carpenter was fired by Gundy for showing up on the job at the couples home wearing a University of Oklahoma baseball jersey.
Gundys attorney said Friday the football coach denies the workers claims.
Brent Loveland, a carpenter in Choctaw, is seeking damages totaling more than $10,000. Loveland said he had a verbal contract with Gundy to remodel the couples Stillwater home for an estimated $80,000 over 13 weeks.
Lovelands lawsuit says when he showed up for work last spring wearing an OU baseball shirt, the Cowboys coach responded with profanity and kicked him off the job.
Mike asked, How dare you come into my house and offend my wife, the suit states.
When Loveland asked what he was taking about, Mike responded, That f---ing shirt you have on, the suit says.
Gundy told him to pack his things and leave, the suit claims.
Loveland apologized and offered to turn the shirt inside out, but Gundy refused and insisted Loveland pack his s--t and leave, the suit says.
During the confrontation, Mike let loose a string of cursing that would make a sailor blush, according to the lawsuit.
Lovelands lawsuit contends he dressed in the dark at 4 a.m. to go to the Stillwater job and didnt realize he had grabbed a shirt promoting OSUs Bedlam rival.
As it turns out, his random choice in the dark that morning of what shirt to wear was unfortunate, Lovelands lawsuit said.
The Gundys hired Loveland after seeing his carpentry work at Mike Gundys parents home in Midwest City, the suit states. Lovelands attorney Edward White said today Gundy and Loveland had a verbal contract that would have earned Loveland more than $80,000 had he been allowed to perform the 13 weeks of work they discussed for the main floor of the couples Stillwater home.
There also was potential for Loveland to earn more by working on the couples basement, the suit claims.
They did not discuss proper work attire or school affiliation, the suit says.
Loveland figures he is out at least $30,000 because he turned down other jobs to work at the Gundys home, White said.
This was a big job for which he had blocked out a significant period of time and didnt have other jobs lined up, so he was out of work for quite a while, White said.
Im an OSU guy, so this is not a vendetta. This is simply a gentleman whos a small business owner, he depends on his work for his livelihood and he didnt get paid for a job where we think he was unreasonably terminated, White said.
Though Loveland was to have started the work in March, the case wasnt ready to file in court until this week, White said.
Loveland declined to comment.
Gavin Lang, coordinator of media relations for OSU football, said today Gundy could not comment for this article because he was on the practice field this morning.
OSU spokeswoman Carrie Hulsey-Greene referred the NewsPress to attorney Willie Baker for comment. Bakers office issued the following statement:
On behalf of Coach Gundy, while I cannot discuss the specifics of pending litigation, I deny the allegations being made and welcome the opportunity to fully resolve the matter.
The construction worker may seek a change of venue later due to the notoriety of defendants in Payne County, and the expected attendant difficulty in selecting an unbiased jury, among other factors, the lawsuit claims.
After all Coach Gundy is a man. He can take it! ROFL
