VCU volleyball coach James Finley says he was fired because he is gay; team finished 25-6

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In this Nov. 29, 2012 photo, former Virginia Commonwealth University\'s women\'s volleyball coach James Finlay poses with his teams photo at his home in Richmond, Va. Finlay, fired by Virginia Commonwealth, says he was dismissed because he is gay. Finley wants his job back. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

RICHMOND, Va. – VCU women’s volleyball coach James Finley says he has been fired because he is gay.

Finley has filed a complaint with VCU’s Office for Institutional Equity. University spokesperson Pamela D. Lepley says an investigation is under way.

The 52-year-old Finley says he will consider legal action if not reinstated.

Finley was fired Nov. 19, one day after VCU lost in the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament. The Rams finished 25-6, their best winning percentage (.806) in Finley’s eight-year tenure.

The coach says he believes athletic director Ed McLaughlin “just doesn’t want a gay person representing his athletic department.”

In a press release announcing the dismissal, McLaughlin said, “Our program needs a different direction and different leadership to attain our goals of achieving at an elite level nationally.”

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