Neuheisel case to begin today

Four years ago, Rick Neuheisel led the Washington football team to an 11-1 record and a Rose Bowl victory. Today, 19 months after his original run-in with NCAA investigators that brought him under scrutiny, the former Husky coach will officially become the UW's opposition when he faces off against his former employer in the courtroom.

The high-profile case grew even larger Friday, when King County Superior Court Judge Michael Spearman ruled that if victorious, Neuheisel could be compensated for the life of his contract -- at least $6 million.

The UW has returned the favor, suing Neuheisel in order to regain a $1.5 million loan it made to the coach. It was agreed Neuheisel would keep the loan provided he completed his contract, which had another five years to run when Neuheisel was dismissed in June 2003.

Neuheisel was terminated for lying to former athletic director Barbara Hedges about an interview with the San Francisco 49ers in February 2003, as well as to NCAA investigators who interviewed him about his participation in NCAA basketball betting pools.

The case will delve into the circumstances behind Neuheisel's termination to determine how the UW came to its decision to fire the coach. Also in question will be Neuheisel's contract, which both lawyers dispute.

"We believe that [Neuheisel] was wrongly terminated in violation of his contract and under pressure brought forth by the NCAA," said Neuheisel's lawyer Bob Sulkin.

Neuheisel has also charged the NCAA, which is represented by attorney John Aslin, with tortuous interference for allegedly meddling in the school's affairs that led to his termination. Both cases will progress simultaneously.

The UW will need to disconnect itself from the NCAA in the lawsuit and prove it fired Neuheisel on its own initiative, not under the influence of the NCAA, according to Sulkin.

"The University made a sad but correct decision when it terminated Rick Neuheisel," said Louis Peterson, who will represent the UW in court. "The University's position has been consistent that Rick Neuheisel agreed in his contract that he can be terminated for an act of dishonesty."

Among the evidence presented, lawyers will debate over audio tapes chronicling Neuheisel's interviews with the NCAA. The tapes were ruled eligible by Spearman on Thursday, despite Sulkin's claims that the tapes were incomplete and consequently misleading.

A number of witnesses are expected to play a prominent role in the case, including Neuheisel and Hedges. Former UW compliance director Dana Richardson, who sent a memo authorizing the betting pools, will also be brought under scrutiny. NCAA officials involved in interviews and investigations into Neuheisel's gambling activities will also provide insight into the behind-the-scenes circumstances leading to his termination.

Neuheisel recently signed on as the quarterbacks' coach for the Baltimore Ravens, his first formal coaching position since leaving the UW.

Judicial proceedings commence today with opening statements at 9:30 a.m. at the Regional Justice Center in Kent.