Lawsuit Settled Between San Jose State, Former Coach Pete Turner

A lawsuit filed by former San Jose State head coach Peter Turner against the school was settled out of court last fall, Extra Inning Softball recently learned.

Turner initially sued the school in April 2021 following his firing from the program. His initial suit named the California state system board of trustees, then-athletic director Marie Tuite, and others. The allegations in the original suit included wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

According to documents that were digitally reviewed by Extra Inning Softball, the group of defendants filed a response to Turner’s suit in July 2021. An amended lawsuit and the defendants’ answer to the amended suit are the primary additional documents included in the clerk of court’s online record until a notice of unconditional settlement was filed in October 2021.

In most cases, as is the case here, a notice of settlement is the official document filed after the parties to a lawsuit reach an out-of-court – and often confidential – settlement. The actual terms of that settlement may be kept private and not filed in the court’s record.

The notice of settlement documentation was filed by Turner’s attorney and a request to dismiss the suit was filed in November 2021.

Of note, in his original suit, Turner had requested numerous damages, including an award for punitive damages. An out-of-court settlement could include financial and other considerations if they are agreed upon by all parties.

Turner has not coached collegiately since his firing at San Jose State. He spent 14 years leading the program and guided them to two NCAA tournament appearances.