Mississippi Basketball Coach Sues Over Firing, Claims Age Discrimination

A former Mississippi basketball coach is suing over his dismissal claiming age discrimination.

The Sun Herald reported Thursday former Long Beach High School coach Joel Boone field a lawsuit against the school district in Gulfport federal court. Boone is in his mid-70s and seeks to be reinstated and receive back pay, damages and attorney’s fees.

Boone says then-Athletic Director Forrest Williams told him last year he was looking for someone younger.

Boone was informed his part-time teaching position was being eliminated and says he wasn’t given a chance to apply for the full-time coach’s job.

The lawsuit says the district hired a 28-year-old coach.

Williams referred the newspaper’s calls to communications director Leigh Anne Biggs, who says she couldn’t comment because the district hasn’t yet been served with a copy of the suit.