Penn State seeking almost $900K in liquidated damages from ex-DC Bob Shoop

Penn State has a bone to pick with former defensive coordinator Bob Shoop, a nearly $900,000 bone to be exact.

According to court documents obtained by John Beauge of PennLive.com, Penn State is seeking a total of $891,856 from Shoop, citing a clause in his contract that invoked a penalty should he resign before his contract expired.

The penalty contained in the clause required Shoop to pay the university 50 percent "of his base pay" for the remainder of his contract. Shoop had over two years remaining on his contract when he departed to become Tennessee's defensive coordinator.

The documents also state that Penn State has formally requested Shoop pay the amount, and that Shoop has indicated through his counsel a refusal to do so.

In his memorandum of understanding with Tennessee, it was stated that Shoop "is solely responsible for satisfying any buyout or liquidation damages provision(s) between Coach and Pennsylvania State University and/or other prior institutions," something Tennessee athletic director David Hart called a "very, very loud statement" regarding his commitment to the Volunteers.

Penn State had a breach of contract suit transferred to U.S. Middle District Court on Monday after filing it in Centre County court in June.