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Rutgers Basketball Coach Fired After Player Abuse Video Surfaces

Amanda Martinez |
April 3, 2013 | 10:17 a.m. PDT

Executive Producer

Rutgers fired men's basketball coach Mike Rice Wednesday, just one day after a video broke showing him abusing players during practice.

ESPN first broadcast the video Tuesday, which showed Rice shoving, grabbing and throwing balls at players, as well as using gay slurs. 

Rice spoke Wednesday outside his home and apologized for letting down his players and the fans.

"There's no explanation for what's on this film because there is no excuse for it. I was wrong," said Rice. "I want to tell everybody who has believed in me that I'm deeply sorry for the pain and the hardship that I've caused them."

Rutgers University President Robert Barchi said the video showed "a chronic and pervasive pattern of disturbing behavior" and "Coach Rice cannot continue to serve effectively in a position that demands the highest levels of leadership, responsibility and public accountability." 

CBS News reported the video prompted New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and the head of the New Jersey Assembly to call for Rice's firing.

Spokesman Michael Drewniak said, "Gov. Christie saw the video today for the first time and he is obviously deeply disturbed by the conduct displayed and strongly condemns this behavior. It's not the type of leadership we should be showing our young people and clearly there are questions about this behavior that need to be answered by the leaders at Rutgers University."

Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver added, "Mike Rice should no longer be employed by Rutgers University. He must go. Meanwhile, the decision not to dismiss him last year needs a complete and thorough review."

After nationwide criticism mounted, Rutgers announced Rice's termination on Twitter Wednesday morning, writing, "Based upon recently revealed information and a review of previously discovered issues, Rutgers has terminated the contract of Mike Rice."

Nearly four months before Rice was fired, the university athletic director Tim Pernetti suspended him for three games and fined him $50,000. Pernetti gave little explanation for the suspension, but later called the decision a mistake.

"I am responsible for the decision to attempt a rehabilitation of Coach Rice," Pernetti said. "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. Moving forward, I will work to regain the trust of the Rutgers community."

Reach Executive Producer Amanda Martinez here.



 

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