Based upon recently revealed information and a review of previously discovered issues, Rutgers has terminated the contract of Mike Rice.
— Rutgers Athletics (@RUAthletics) April 3, 2013
Rutgers Coach Mike Rice, caught on camera throwing basketballs at players’ heads and using profanity and slurs, has been fired.
The school made the announcement this morning. The video surfaced yesterday.
Bloomberg writer Scott Soshnick tweeted a statement from the school’s athletic director, Tim Pernetti, who apparently regrets giving Rice a second chance after seeing the video in December. At the time the school fined Rice $50,000 and suspended him for three games.
Rutgers AD statement: “I am responsible for the decision to attempt a rehabilitation of Coach Rice,” said (cont) tl.gd/n_1rjiiia
— Scott Soshnick (@soshnick) April 3, 2013
I am responsible for the decision to attempt a rehabilitation of Coach Rice. 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.
—Rutgers AD Tim Pernetti
@soshnick The Rutgers AD needs to go as well. During his “rehabilitation” project how many more kids were abused?
— JDPComm (@JDPComm) April 3, 2013
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie weighed in with his support of Rice’s firing:
This was a regrettable episode for @rutgersu, but I completely support the decision to remove Coach Rice.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) April 3, 2013
