The University of Houston is facing a lawsuit that accuses the school of discrimination and not properly posting its head football coach position before it hired Dana Holgorsen.

The Houston Chronicle reported that the suit was filed in Aug. 15 in Harris County Court by Dr. Kevin Simms, who is president of the African-American Coaches Association. Simms claims candidates, including himself, were not given the opportunity to apply for the job because it was never posted, as required by state law.

Holgorsen spent eight years at West Virginia, and is set to start his first season at Houston as head coach. He was on the Houston staff in 2008-09 as offensive coordinator under Kevin Sumlin.

Simms is seeking damages totaling $20 million and benefits, the amount of the five-year contract Holgorsen signed with the school.

In the lawsuit, Simms claims to have “over 30 years of coaching experience and is clearly more qualified than Dana Holgersen (sic).” A search found no listings of any previous coaching jobs for Simms, the Chronicle reported.

The lawsuit adds, “the University of Houston continues to bypass African Americans in applying and being considered for the head football coach position as it does not adhere to the job posting and advertising requirements.”

UH released a statement to the Chronicle on the suit: “The University of Houston believes this case is without merit and looks forward to its resolution.”