Former Stanford Cardinal head basketball coach Johnny Dawkins filed a lawsuit against the school Monday for breach of contract after he was fired in March 2016. 

According to Jon Wilner of the Mercury News, Dawkins is seeking "in excess of $7 million" in his lawsuit against Stanford. The total is based on being owed "approximately $2.3 million in direct damages" and at least an additional $5 million for "for the tortious ingredients of its wrongdoing."

Central Florida hired Dawkins as head coach shortly after the Cardinal let him go, and a mitigation clause in his Stanford contract prompted his lawsuit. 

"According to court documents, Dawkins agreed to release any claims against Stanford upon his dismissal in exchange for the university dropping the mitigation provision in his contract," Wilner wrote. "The school also agreed to pay Dawkins $2.3 million."

Stanford fired Dawkins after the Cardinal went 15-15 during the 2015-16 campaign and missed the NCAA tournament for the seventh time in his eight seasons as head coach. He led the UCF Knights to a 24-12 record and an appearance in the NIT semifinals in his first year with the program.             

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