A former video coordinator for the University of Hawaii football team filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against UH on Tuesday, alleging that UH officials retaliated against him after he complained that his wife, an assistant UH softball coach, had a "romantic relationship" with an assistant graduate student.
Christopher Williams said in his lawsuit that his wife, Kaulana Williams, was having a relationship with James Chassin, who was designing strength and conditioning programs for the softball team.
Christopher Williams complained in November last year to Bob Coolen, UH softball coach, about the
"inappropriate relationship" and asked that Kaulana Williams and the graduate student be separated at work, according to the lawsuit.
Christopher Williams was later notified that he was under investigation for a report by Coolen that Williams made a threat to "kick his ass," a reference to the grad student, the suit said.
Williams denied making the threat but was placed on suspension with pay because of the investigation, the suit said.
Then-UH athletic director Jim Donovan gave Williams the notice of investigation, the suit said.
The suit said neither Donovan nor Coolen investigated the relationship.
The lawsuit said Williams’ contract expired in March after UH hired Norm Chow as football coach but prohibited Chow from keeping Williams as the video coordinator.
The suit seeks an unspecified amount of damages.
Kelli Abe Trifonovitch, UH spokeswoman, said university officials had not seen the lawsuit and had no comment until they reviewed it.
Chassin could not be reached for comment.
