CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Former men’s lacrosse coach Lars Tiffany’s breach of contract lawsuit against the University of Virginia can move forward.

Albemarle County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Higgins denied two motions Friday by UVA attorneys to dismiss the case, saying that an offer from the school amounted to an extension of Tiffany’s existing contract. Higgins noted that the offer from UVA included all the “important economic terms,” including salary and length of the deal. She also pointed out that, in 2021, Tiffany and the university agreed to an offer for a new deal in April, but did not formally sign that pact until December.

Friday afternoon, attorneys for both UVA and Tiffany appeared online over WebX. The courtroom was empty except for Higgins, two sheriff’s deputies, two friends of Tiffany’s, and two reporters.

Higgins told the lawyers that “UVA made a definitive offer” and that “Tiffany accepted.”

In an important note, Higgins also indicated that discussions between Tiffany and UVA about the possibility of adding another year to the extension did not negate the existing offer.

Tiffany filed a contract action civil lawsuit against the school on June 22. He is asking for just over $1.4 million and requested a jury trial.

According to a copy of the lawsuit provided to Cville Right Now by Tiffany’s attorneys, he was offered and accepted a three-year contract extension which he signed and returned on April 2. According to the lawsuit, Tiffany believes an inquiry about adding a fourth year to the extension was the reason UVA ultimately chose not to keep him as coach.

Tiffany went 108-51 in 10 seasons, winning national titles in 2019 and 2021 as he rejuvenated a sagging program. He guided Virginia to seven NCAA tournaments and four Final Fours.

In 2025, UVA went 10-7, won an ACC tournament championship and lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Georgetown on May 10. On May 12, Tiffany told Cville Right Now he expected to be back coaching the Cavaliers in 2026.

Instead, on May 18, UVA announced a “leadership change” for the program. On May 26, the school named Kevin Cassese, a Tiffany assistant for the previous three seasons, as its next lacrosse coach.