A high school wrestling coach testifies at an investigatory hearing of the Ohio High School Athletic Association after his team is involved in an altercation at a wrestling match. He testifies again during a suit filed by several parents; the county court overturns a ruling in favor of the Athletic Association. The day after the court's decision a local reporter writes a column implying that the coach committed perjury. The column'' heading was "Maple beat the law with the "big lie" and contained the following relevant passages:

(1) - A lesson was learned (or relearned) yesterday by the student body of Maple Heights High School, and by anyone who attended the Maple-Mentor wrestling meet of last Feb. 8. A lesson which, sadly, in view of the events of the past year, is well they learned early. It is simply this: If you get in a jam, lie your way out. If you're successful enough, and powerful enough, and can sound sincere enough, you stand an excellent chance of making the lie stand up, regardless of what really happened. The teachers responsible were mainly Head Maple Wrestling Coach, Mike Milkovich, and former superintendent of schools H. Donald Scott. ...and ...

(2) - Anyone who attended the meet, whether he be from Maple Heights, Mentor, or impartial observer, knows in his heart that Milkovich and Scott lied at the hearing after each having given his solemn oath to tell the truth..... But they got away with it. Is that the kind of lesson we want our young people learning from their high school administrators and coaches? .....I think not.

Is the wrestling coach a public figure?

Does the article constitute opinion that is protected, or does the coach have an actionable claim for defamation?

Milkovich v. Lorain Journal Co., 497 U.S. 1