By KRWG News
New Mexico – A former assistant football coach at the University of New Mexico has filed a civil rights lawsuit stemming from an altercation involving coach Mike Locksley.
J.B. Gerald filed the lawsuit Friday in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque against Locksley and the University of New Mexico Board of Regents.
The lawsuit says Locksley attacked Gerald on Sept. 20 by choking him, punching him in the face, and cursing at him in front of peers and athletes, and should have to pay damages to Gerald.
The suit says the University of New Mexico discriminated against Gerald, who is black, by encouraging him to minimize the assault and failing to take appropriate action.
UNM spokeswoman Susan McKinsey says the university "will vigorously defend itself and its employees against these claims."
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.