Nathan C. McGuire v. Julie A. Bowlin, Thomas M. Bowlin, Joy M. Szondy, Chelon L. Danielson, Cheryl Hewitt

Summary

The court held that a public high school basketball head coach was neither a public official nor a limited-purpose public figure for defamation purposes because his duties did not concern core governmental functions, significant public issues, or substantial control over government affairs, and no preexisting public controversy existed. The court therefore rejected the basis for summary judgment in favor of Julie Bowlin but affirmed summary judgment for Joy Szondy, Chelon Danielson, and Cheryl Hewitt because McGuire forfeited any challenge to the qualified-privilege ruling. The case was remanded for further proceedings on McGuire's defamation claim against Bowlin.