Michigan State University announced late Friday that Bob Young was fired from his duties as vice president and university counsel.

WKAR's Reginald Hardwick reports on firing of MSU general counsel and vice president Bob Young.

Former interim president John Engler hired Young, a former Michigan Supreme Court Justice in June 2018.

Shortly after his hiring, the Associated Press reported that MSU paid Young $425,000 annually. And the school will still pay Young $1.275 million for a 3-year contract even if he is fired.

The MSU release said Brian Quinn, deputy general counsel, will be acting general counsel.

“We appreciate that Bob stepped in last year to help the university with the settlement and many legal issues facing MSU. It was a time of transition in the general counsel’s office,” said MSU Acting President Satish Udpa in Friday’s statement.

The statement did not detail why Young was “relieved” of his duties. Young is a longtime political ally of Engler.

In mid-January, Engler resigned as interim president following heavy backlash to comments to the Detroit News regarding survivors of Larry Nassar’s abuse.