[Tuck4Bama]

RENO, Nev. -- A Nevada high school football coach whose player faked his recruitment filed a defamation suit against school district officials Thursday, accusing them of trying to make him the scapegoat in the embarrassing hoax.

Fernley High School Coach Mark Hodges is seeking more than $20,000 from the Lyon County School District and school board members after the scam in which Kevin Hart claimed he had been recruited to play for two Pac-10 schools.

The 6-foot-5, 290-pound offensive lineman sat before a packed gymnasium at a Feb. 1 school assembly to announce his choice between California and Oregon. Surrounded by Hodges and other school officials, Hart donned a Bears cap to indicate his choice as the crowd cheered.

ESPN - Nevada coach files defamation suit after player's recruiting hoax - High School Sports