BATON ROUGE- A former head coach of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette football team is suing the school, claiming that the university fired him in 2001 because of his race.
    
The racial discrimination trial between former head coach Jerry Baldwin and the university began Tuesday with opening statements.
    
Attorney Karl Bernard, who represents Baldwin, told the East Baton Rouge Parish jury that Baldwin had received positive evaluations for his performance until he was fired. He says Baldwin was let go because he was "the wrong color."
    
Stephen Oats, an attorney representing UL Lafayette, rejected the notion, saying former school president Ray Authement didn't terminate Baldwin because of his race.  He pointed to Baldwin's coaching record of six wins and 27 losses from 1999 to 2001.
    
Testimony begins Wednesday. The trial is expected to last a week.