BREMERTON — Joe Kennedy, former football coach at Bremerton High School, was denied his request for a preliminary injunction Sept. 19 by U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Leighton.

The Bremerton School District, after months of controversy regarding Kennedy’s post-game prayer on the 50-yard line, opted not to renew Kennedy’s employment contract in December 2015. He was placed on paid administrative leave Oct. 28, 2015.

Kennedy, represented by the Liberty Institute, filed a lawsuit against the Bremerton School District Aug. 8 in an attempt “to have him reinstated as the coach, with accommodation to allow him to do a short prayer,” said Mike Berry, Kennedy’s lawyer, in an earlier interview.

Berry added they weren’t seeking any money outside a return to employment for Kennedy.

But Leighton denied Kennedy the requested preliminary injunction, which is an order issued by a court that forces the defendant (in this case the Bremerton School District) to do or not do something depending on what the plaintiff was requesting (in this case, reinstate Kennedy as a football coach).

“We are disappointed with this temporary setback,” Berry said, “but we’re committed to continuing to fight for Coach Kennedy and get him back on the sidelines coaching as quickly as possible.”

Berry added that the legal team will “continue to evaluate our legal options,” and decide what their next step is “at the appropriate time.”

Patty Glaser, school district community relations spokeswoman, said the district has no comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.