It’s the video that has gone viral and has everyone talking — the unbelievable footage of Rutgers University head basketball coach Mike Rice abusing his own players!
In the video, Rice is seen punching, shoving and kicking players, as well as throwing basketballs at their heads. Rice even hurls a few gay slurs at them too.
Initially, Rutgers merely suspended Rice for 3 games and fined him $50,000. However, public sentiment forced their hand and the university pulled the plug on Mike Rice yesterday, finally firing him for his erratic and inexplicable behavior.
“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 yesterday following his termination. “I want to tell everybody who’s believed in me that I’m deeply sorry for the pain and hardship that I’ve caused.”
Rice is being widely condemned for his coaching methods. “Don’t tell me that’s the old way,” said Hall of Famer and former Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson Jr. “That’s the wrong way.” He added that Rice’s actions were clearly “child abuse.”
Now, Athletic Director Tim Pernetti could soon be out of a job too, for overlooking the abusive behavior and allowing Rice to get by since November without proper disciplinary actions.
So, what is Rice’s problem? Is he crazy of just stupid? Physical and mental abuse of players is not motivational and it certainly is not coaching. And exactly how did Rice get away with all this for so long, with a mere slap on the wrist as his punishment once his boss found out? Is Tim Pernetti just as much at fault as Mike Rice?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Thanks for featuring this story DJ. You asked: "So, what is Rice's problem? Is he crazy of just stupid?" No question in my mind. He's a bit of both. But here's what really got to me: Rice was allowed to get away with all that crap for 3 YRS (since 2010) and not ONE adult in that program said or did a thing to stop it UNTIL Murdock got pissed for not having his contract renewed and gave the video to ESPN a few days ago. Check this: Rice was hired at Rutgers in 2010. Next: So Murdock tells Pernetti. Pernetti reports the *problem* to Robert Barchi (Univ. Pres.) and then_supposedly without viewing so much as 1 sec of that damning video_Barchi orders an an "independent investigation." THEN based on the findings of that so-called "independent investigation" Rice is given an opportunity to "rehabilitate himself" while keeping his job. Then… Read more »