The fired Penn State football doctor who clashed with Franklin is going back to court

When Dr. Scott Lynch sued James Franklin, Penn State football coach, among others, half a decade ago, he promised “fireworks” in court.

Lynch, a former director of sports medicine at Penn State University and an orthopedic consultant to the football team, accused Franklin and others of pressuring him to send injured players back to the field before they were fit to ensure the school's victories.

Lynch said he was forced out of his dual role later in 2019 and compared the process to sitting in the principal's office, surrounded by authority figures, asking “Why?” over and over.

The trial was supposed to begin in March, but an aside from Penn State's attorney triggered a mistrial and reset the clock to zero.

At Monday's hearing in Dauphin County Court, Lynch's attorney, an energetic Steve Maroni, peppered Richard Kaluza, a senior associate athletic director for finance and business operations, with questions about compensation and incentives for certain Penn State Athletics employees.

Kaluza's impressive statement revealed that James Franklin, for example, will receive salary bonuses depending on the milestones the team achieves under his leadership.

Coach of the Year? This could be a family trip to the beach. Team championships? Maybe a new car.

It wasn't just Franklin who received these bonuses.

Sandy Barbour, the former athletic director at Penn State, also received raises based on how the college's various teams performed during their sports seasons, Kaluza said. He cited academic success off the field as a bonus.

Maroni said these bonuses are a very good motive for Franklin and others to push his players to win.

“You’re not winning? “They’re not getting $7 million,” Maroni said, saying sports officials have financial incentives to send star players back onto the field before they’re ready to play.

Kaluza also laid the groundwork for the rules that come with NCAA membership, which Maroni is currently reviewing. The NCAA has adopted specific guidelines that require members of the Big Ten Conference to design their programs to promote student well-being.

Penn State's attorney did not have a chance to cross-examine Kaluza before Judge Andrew Dowling sent the jury home Monday and declined to comment on the case.

Penn State previously issued the following statement:

“Penn State has an unwavering commitment to the well-being and safety of student-athletes and is demonstrated by many dedicated professionals across the university, but has no intention of commenting further on this ongoing matter between Lynch and the remaining defendants .”

Penn State Health spokeswoman Barbara Schindo referred PennLive to her organization's existing statement on the nearly four-year-old lawsuit:

“In February 2019, Penn State Health leaders decided to change leadership for sports medicine and the delivery of care for intercollegiate athletics.

Given the increasing complexity and demands of sports medicine and healthcare in general, this transition was made in the best interest of student-athletes.

While we reject Lynch's allegations and will vigorously defend our program and its representatives, we remain grateful for his five years as director of sports medicine for intercollegiate athletics and for his continued collaboration with Penn State Health.”

Franklin and Penn State Athletics have since been removed from the lawsuit on a technicality.