Mayville State to Pay Former Volleyball Coach $75,000 in Discrimination Settlement

Lindsey Johnson filed federal lawsuit after being fired for raising concerns over pay and workload disparities between male and female coaches.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Mayville State University has agreed to pay $75,000 to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by former volleyball coach Lindsey Johnson. Johnson alleged the school discriminated against her based on gender and retaliated against her after she raised concerns about disparities in pay and workload between male and female coaches.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing challenges around gender equity in college athletics, where female coaches have historically faced pay gaps and heavier workloads compared to their male counterparts. Johnson's lawsuit and the resulting settlement underscore the importance of addressing these systemic issues to ensure fair treatment for all coaches.

The details

According to court filings, Johnson coached at Mayville State for 15 years before being fired in May 2023. She claimed the school terminated her contract after she raised concerns about differences in pay and workload between male and female coaches. The school allegedly retaliated against her by giving her a negative performance review just days before firing her, without providing an opportunity to dispute the claims. Johnson filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in November 2024, alleging gender discrimination and retaliation. The university has now agreed to pay Johnson $75,000 to settle the case.

  • Johnson first raised concerns about pay and workload disparities in March 2023.
  • Johnson filed charges of employment discrimination with the EEOC that fall.
  • Johnson obtained a "Right to Sue" letter from the EEOC on October 7, 2024.
  • Johnson filed the federal lawsuit the following month in November 2024.
  • The university made the $75,000 settlement offer at the end of January 2026.

The players

Lindsey Johnson

A former volleyball coach at Mayville State University who filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the school, alleging gender discrimination and retaliation.

Mayville State University

A public university in Mayville, North Dakota that employed Lindsey Johnson as a volleyball coach for 15 years before terminating her contract.

Billy Tomblin

A baseball coach at Mayville State University who was paid a higher salary than Johnson despite only being required to spend 25% of his time teaching, compared to Johnson's 50/50 teaching and coaching split.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will need to approve the $75,000 settlement agreement between Mayville State University and former volleyball coach Lindsey Johnson.

The takeaway

Johnson's lawsuit and the resulting settlement underscore the importance of addressing systemic gender inequities in college sports, including disparities in pay, workload, and treatment of female coaches. This case serves as an example of how female coaches can fight back against discrimination and retaliation through the legal system.