PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Fueled by outrage from even the governor when the video went public, Rutgers fired its men’s basketball coach Wednesday after deciding it didn’t go far enough by suspending and fining Mike Rice for shoving, kicking and throwing basketballs at players along with shouting gay slurs at them.
Athletic Director Tim Pernetti was given a copy of the tape by a former employee in November, and after an investigator was hired to review it, Rice was suspended for three games, fined $75,000 and ordered to attend anger management classes.
On Wednesday, Rutgers referred to new information and “a review of previously discovered issues” as the reasons for Rice’s termination.
Rutgers University President Robert Barchi said in a released statement that he reviewed the video evidence Tuesday and that it showed a “chronic and pervasive pattern of disturbing behavior.”
The video shows numerous clips of Rice at practice firing basketballs at players, hitting them in the back, legs, feet and shoulders. It also shows him grabbing players by their jerseys and yanking them around the court. Rice also can be heard yelling obscenities and using gay slurs toward players.
“I have now reached the conclusion that Coach Rice cannot continue to serve effectively in a position that demands the highest levels of leadership, responsibility and public accountability,” said Barchi, who signed off on the original penalty handed down to Rice. “He cannot continue to coach at Rutgers University.”
Rice, who was in his third season with the Scarlet Knights, addressed reporters outside his home Wednesday in Little Silver, N.J., and apologized for his actions.
“I’ve let so many people down: my players, my administration, Rutgers University, the fans, my family, who’s sitting in their house just huddled around because of the fact their father was an embarrassment to them,” Rice said. “It’s troubling, but at some time maybe I’ll try to explain it.
“Right now there’s no explanation for what’s on those films. There is no excuse for it. I was wrong. I want to tell everybody who’s believed in me that I’m deeply sorry for the pain and hardship that I’ve caused.”
Gov. Chris Christie, who said he was appalled when he saw the video Tuesday, supported the firing at the state’s flagship public university.
“This was a regrettable episode for the university, but I completely support the decision to remove Coach Rice,” Christie said in a statement. “It was the right and necessary action to take in light of the conduct displayed on the videotape.
“Parents entrust their sons to the Rutgers athletic department and the men’s basketball program at an incredibly formative period of their lives. The way these young men were treated by the head coach was completely unacceptable and violates the trust those parents put in Rutgers University. All of the student-athletes entrusted to our care deserve much better.”
Rice, who helped Robert Morris to two NCAA Tournament appearances, went 44-51 at Rutgers. He was 16-38 in the Big East after going 73-31 in three seasons at Robert Morris. The Scarlet Knights went 15-16 this season, 5-13 in conference play.
Pernetti took responsibility for trying to rehabilitate Rice instead of firing him.
“Dismissal and corrective action were debated in December, and I thought it was in the best interest of everyone to rehabilitate, but I was wrong,” he said. “Moving forward, I will work to regain the trust of the Rutgers community.”
Sports, Pages 24 on 04/04/2013