Former men's basketball coach Mark Gottfried is suing N.C. State in federal court, alleging that the university owes him thousands in buyout payments. Gottfried was fired in 2017 after coaching the team for six seasons.
Gottfried's lawyer claims that in 2017 the coach and N.C. State had a contract regarding his separation that included monthly payments to Gottfried through April 4, 2020. According to the lawsuit, the school's last payment came on August 31, 2018.
Elliot Abrams, Gottfried's lawyer, told the N&O in 2019 that the school still owed Gottfried $520,000 but was trying to use his connection to the Adidas case to pay him less. On May 24, 2018, N.C. State sent Gottfried a "Notice of Intent to Discharge for Cause" claiming that the former coach had "induced the university to enter into payment arrangements."
When reached Wednesday morning, Abrams said "we are going to decline to comment at this time."
A spokesperson for the university told the News & Observer that "N.C. State does not comment on pending litigation."
The federal lawsuit was filed Monday. The Triangle Business Journal first reported the news.
Gottfried was fired late in the 2016-17 season, but was allowed to stay and coach through the conclusion of the year, ending in an early exit from the ACC tournament. Gottfried was 123-86 at N.C. State, including 48-58 in the ACC. His best conference finishes were during his first two seasons, when the Wolfpack tied for fourth. They finished in 13th place in each of his final two seasons.
Gottfried is currently the men's basketball coach at Cal-State Northridge.
