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MURFREESBORO – Tim Place, former head football coach here at Chowan University, has accepted an undisclosed settlement based on his lawsuit for wrongful discharge from his job.

Place, who spent 12 seasons leading the Chowan football program, was initially placed on indefinite leave in October of 2019. That leave came six games into that season.

It is not known when the lawsuit was filed against Chowan. Lloyd C. “Clif” Smith III, who served as Place’s attorney, told the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald that the settlement agreement in its entirety is confidential.

“I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to be the head football coach at Chowan University, having the opportunity to work with many quality young men,” Place said earlier this week when asked by this newspaper for a comment.

“Through this, I have hoped to serve as a role model to those young men in standing up for what you believe to be right,” the coach continued. “As well, during this you come to realize what’s important, what matters, and, you are witness to people’s true colors.

“I can reflect on my time as head coach and without question think the [football] program was far better when my time ended than when I began. I look forward to the years ahead with what life has to offer knowing I am most blessed to have the family and loyal friends I have,” Place concluded.

An official at the university offered comment, saying, “Chowan University thanks Timothy Place for his more than 11 years of service as head football coach.”

Prior to his years at Chowan, Place was the head football coach at Urbana University in Ohio for two seasons after being the assistant head coach/defensive coordinator there since 2002.

Before that, Place spent two seasons at Ravenna High School in Ohio as head coach. Place came to Ravenna after a season at Division I Western Carolina University as an assistant coach and academic coordinator.

Place would make stops at Eureka College (1997-1999), Hartwick College (1996), and Greene Central High School (1992-1996) after starting his coaching career at Christian Brothers Academy as an assistant.

Place graduated from Washington & Lee University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. At W&L he was a four-year member of the football team and two-year letter winner. He received his Masters degree from SUNY-Albany in Counseling Psychology.