ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The golf director at the University of Minnesota accused of firing a coach because she's lesbian is resigning.

But John Harris tells the St. Paul Pioneer Press his decision to leave July 1 was not because Gophers women's assistant golf coach Kathryn Brenny filed a sexual discrimination lawsuit against him last year.

Harris accuses Brenny of defamation and shaking down him and the university by claiming he prevented her from coaching and traveling with the women's team last fall because she is a lesbian. Brenny is suing him for $200,000.

Harris held the job less than a year. He says he wants to focus on his golf career and business interests.

Brenny's attorney, Donald Mark Jr., declined comment.

The lawsuit is scheduled for a December trial.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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