University of Mississippi coach Andy Kennedy is expected in a Cincinnati courtroom as trial starts in his defamation lawsuit against a cab driver and a valet.

The case being heard by a jury beginning on Monday was filed by Kennedy hours after his arrest in an altercation with the cabbie in 2008.

Kennedy denied that he punched and taunted the driver but pleaded guilty last year to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct. He was sentenced to probation and 40 hours of community service.

During the criminal case, Kennedy apologized in court to the cab driver and the valet, who had come forward as a witness. But the coach did not drop his civil lawsuit against them. They have filed counter suits.