Former Andover High School football coach E.J. Perry III says he has directed his attorney to dismiss his discrimination lawsuit against the town and Principal James D’Andrea.

In a statement reported by Andover News on Oct. 2, Perry said he had hoped the lawsuit would help him regain the coaching position but no longer considered that outcome realistic.

Perry also expressed regret about the attention the dispute brought to the football program. He praised current head coach Jason Fielding and the players, many of whom he had coached.

Superintendent Keith Taverna thanked Perry for his service as a teacher and coach and wished him well.

Lawsuit challenged coaching selection

Perry, 61, filed his complaint in Essex Superior Court on Aug. 14, 2026. It alleged age discrimination, disability discrimination and retaliation following the decision to select Fielding.

Perry contended that younger coaches without disabilities received more favorable treatment. He sought damages for lost income, emotional distress and reputational harm, along with other compensation, without specifying an amount.

The town and D’Andrea rejected the discrimination allegations in a Sept. 3 response, according to Andover News. They asserted that Perry had not met employee performance standards but did not explain those standards in the filing.

The defendants acknowledged that Perry had more football coaching experience than Fielding and had lived with foot drop, which affects walking, for at least a decade during his employment.

D’Andrea notified Perry on March 12, 2025, that he had not been selected. Perry filed a Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination complaint March 19.

Perry’s latest statement describes his decision to seek voluntary dismissal. It does not establish that the court case has formally ended.