Rutgers University Fires Basketball Coach After Videos go Public

By Paul Thomson :: 7:38 PM

Rutgers University has fired its men’s basketball coach, Mike Rice, today after videos of Rice abusing players during practice were widely circulated online.

Although University officials first had knowledge of Rice’s behavior during practices last fall, action was not taken until this week, when the tapes were shown across news outlets and social media sites, and pressure increased on school leadership for them to address the issue.

The University’s Athletic Director, Tim Pernetti, began investigating Rice, and ultimately suspended him for three games in December. In addition to the suspension, Rice was fined $50,000 and was directed to attend anger management classes.

Rutgers President Robert Barchi had also viewed the tapes of Rice’s practices last fall, and agreed with Pernetti’s punishments at the time. Barchi had not seen the videos at that point.

“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,” Barchi said in a statement released by the University earlier today. “He cannot continue to coach at Rutgers University.”

The outcry against Rice grew stronger after ESPN broadcast parts of the abusive practices during their “Outside the Lines” program yesterday. A portion of that broadcast is below.