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Legal War Eagles

Judge orders Oliver, Auburn into mediation on lawsuit

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Posted: Friday July 23, 1999 10:30 AM

Bill Oliver says Auburn reneged on a promise to name him as head coach after the resignation of Terry Bowden. AP

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -- A judge ordered Auburn University and Bill Oliver into mediation in an attempt to settle the ex-defensive coordinator's lawsuit claiming he was wrongly denied the head coaching job.

Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker required that the case be mediated by Sept. 3. If it isn't settled, the dispute will proceed to trial.

Walker on Wednesday gave Auburn and Oliver two weeks to agree on a mediator, who would consider both sides of the case and try to reach common ground.

Oliver contends Auburn reneged on a promise to name him as head football coach after the resignation of Terry Bowden and to repay a $122,000 bank loan for him.

Athletic director David Housel and trustee Bobby Lowder, the school officials at the center of the case, deny Oliver was promised the coaching position. Oliver took over as interim coach after Bowden's departure.

Auburn produced a copy of Oliver's contract, which did not mention any promise of repaying the loan.

 

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