U Tennessee Track & Field Head Coach Seeks Preliminary Injunction Against "Untruthful, Derogatory and Offensive Statements" Plus More Commentary

The University of Tennessee’s head track and field coach, Duane Ross, has filed a motion seeking a preliminary injunction against former recruiting coordinator Jordan Lambert, alleging that Lambert has made “untruthful, derogatory and offensive statements” that damage Ross’s reputation. The legal action stems from a dispute over termination and subsequent public accusations made by Lambert following his dismissal from the university. According to court documents filed in the Eastern District of Tennessee, Ross, a former Olympic champion and current director of track and field, hired Lambert in August 2022 as a non-coaching administrative role. Less than a year later, in May 2023, Ross advised Lambert that he was being terminated from his position. Ross gave Lambert the option of voluntarily resigning instead of facing formal disciplinary action, which Lambert accepted. In May 2024, Lambert sent a demand letter to the University of Tennessee’s general counsel, threatening to sue the university and Ross for “wrongful termination and discrimination” unless he received $150,000 in compensation. The letter included several alleged false and inflammatory claims about Ross, including past misconduct related to doping violations. Ross claims that Lambert falsely accused him of having a documented history of questionable behavior, citing a two-year suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for using performance-enhancing drugs. Ross also alleges that Lambert claimed his son, Randolph Ross Jr., had been suspended for doping violations, suggesting that such behavior might have influenced his actions. Further, Ross accuses Lambert of making false allegations regarding athletes under his supervision, claiming that during his time at North Carolina A&T, several athletes were suspended for doping violations. One such athlete, Grace Nwokocha, was suspended before the World Championships for doping. Ross also alleges that Lambert used an athlete who was not cleared by the NCAA, leading to the forfeiture of team titles and performances. Although these incidents occurred prior to his tenure at Tennessee, Ross argues that they reflect a pattern of poor judgment and ethical lapses. In addition to the written demands, Ross claims that Lambert, using the pseudonym “G. Fury,” released two songs on Apple Music and Spotify titled “Vault Talk” and “Recruiter to Parent.” Both tracks contain defamatory lyrics that allegedly impugned Ross’s character, including false claims about his personal drug use and that of his athletes. Ross further alleges that Lambert published these songs in a public Facebook group called “The Real Deal Track & Field Group.” In early to mid-March 2025, Lambert released three more songs, including one titled “Laws of Attraction,” which targeted Ross with false and disparaging content. Ross asserts that these actions have caused reputational harm and interfere with his ability to manage the university’s track and field programs effectively. The university reportedly rejected Lambert’s demand for financial compensation, prompting the legal action. The motion for a preliminary injunction seeks to prevent Lambert from continuing to make public statements that Ross deems defamatory and damaging to his professional standing. Legal experts suggest that the outcome will depend on whether the court finds that Lambert’s statements meet the threshold for defamation under Tennessee law. The case highlights the complexities of handling disputes in collegiate athletics, particularly when public figures engage in controversial actions outside their official roles. As the legal proceedings unfold, both parties will need to present evidence supporting their respective claims, with the court ultimately determining the validity of each party’s allegations.