News and Commentary

Washington State Football Coach Says He Will Follow State’s Vaccine Mandate For Educators

   DailyWire.com
Washington State Football Coach Says He Will Follow State’s Vaccine Mandate For Educators
Getty Images

In July, Washington State head football coach Nick Rolovich informed the public that he would not be receiving the COVID vaccine. 

Days before the Pac-12 Media Days, Rolovich announced that he had chosen not to receive the vaccine and would attend the media day remotely. 

“As the Pac-12 Conference has required that all in-person participants at next week’s Pac-12 Football Media Day be fully vaccinated, I will participate remotely and look forward to talking about our football team and the incredible young men in our program,” Rolovich said in a statement posted to Twitter. “I have elected not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine for reasons which will remain private. While I have made my own decision, I respect that every individual — including our coaches, staff and student-athletes — can make his or her own decision regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. I will not comment further on my decision.”

That plan appears to have been altered after a vaccine mandate by the governor of Washington.

On Wednesday, a Washington state mandate was announced requiring employees working in K-12 up to higher education to be vaccinated. All employees working in school facilities will have until October 18 to be fully vaccinated or risk losing their jobs. 

“It has been a long pandemic, and our students and teachers have borne their own unique burdens throughout,” Washington Governor Jay Inslee (D-WA) said. “This virus is increasingly impacting young people, and those under the age of 12 still can’t get the vaccine for themselves. We won’t gamble with the health of our children, our educators and school staff, nor the health of the communities they serve.”

According to Chris Grygiel of The Associated Press, Inslee’s office specifically mentioned Rolovich, saying the rules apply to the head coach as well. 

“Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announces COVID-19 vaccination requirements for workers at schools, colleges and universities. Inslee’s office says mandate will apply to WSU football coach Nick Rolovich, who has declined vaccine so far.”

On Thursday, Rolovich said that he would follow the mandate, though he did not specifically say he would receive the vaccine. The mandate does allow for religious and medical exceptions. 

Washington State’s athletic department put out a statement on Wednesday saying they would be following the guidelines. 

“We applaud the efforts of Governor Inslee to protect the health and safety of the people of Washington,” the athletic department said in a statement. “Washington State Athletics, including staff, coaches and student-athletes, will continue to follow all campus, local, state, Pac-12 and NCAA guidelines related to health and safety surrounding COVID-19, and we will work to ensure the mandates in the governor’s proclamation are followed.”

RELATED: Washington State Football Coach Says He Will Not Receive Vaccine, Will Attend PAC-12 Media Day Remotely 

Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to [email protected].

Create a free account to join the conversation!

Already have an account?

Log in

Got a tip worth investigating?

Your information could be the missing piece to an important story. Submit your tip today and make a difference.

Submit Tip
Download Daily Wire Plus

Don't miss anything

Download our App

Stay up-to-date on the latest
news, podcasts, and more.

Download on the app storeGet it on Google Play
The Daily Wire   >  Read   >  Washington State Football Coach Says He Will Follow State’s Vaccine Mandate For Educators
Daily Wire Plus
Facts and headlines on the go.
Download the Daily Wire app.
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
Download App QR CodeScan the QR Code to Download
FacebookXInstagramYouTubeRSS
Daily Wire PlusFacts and headlines on the go.
Download the Daily Wire app.
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
© Copyright 2025, The Daily Wire LLC  | Terms | Privacy
Podcast compliance badge