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The judge in former San Diego State women's basketball coach Beth Burns' wrongful termination trial has issued tentative rulings that deny motions from California State University system attorneys requesting a previous verdict in the case be abandoned. Burns, the winningest women's basketball coach in the school's history, was fired in April 2013 with four years left on a contract that paid her $220,000 plus bonuses and benefits. She sued for wrongful termination and whistleblower retaliation for complaining about potential Title IX violations. The case's jury ruled in Burns' favor on Sept 28, awarding a total of $3.35 million in lost wages and economic damages. CSU subsequently filed a series of post-trial motions, one requesting a new trial and another requesting that Judge John Meyer overturn the verdict. A hearing for Meyer to issue final rulings is scheduled for Friday morning. Should the decision stand, CSU would have three options: pay Burns the $3.35 million, negotiate a settlement or file an appeal in district court. CSU is not obligated to pay Burns until all appeals are exhausted but would incur the system further legal expenses. In addition, the final amount would incur 7-percent interest beginning next spring. Burns, 57, was out of work for a year after her sudden termination before being hired as an assistant coach at USC, where she makes $150,000.
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