Senate GOP Leader Says Embattled Rutgers Coach “Should Be Immediately Fired” Barring Compelling Reason to Keep Him
By Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog
Updated Post 10:30 a.m.
Rutgers U. has fired its head bball coach, Save Jerseyans (h/t Dan Cirucci):
Based upon recently revealed information and a review of previously discovered issues, Rutgers has terminated the contract of Mike Rice.
“I am responsible for the decision to attempt a rehabilitation of Coach Rice,” said Rutgers Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tim Pernetti. “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.”
Original Post 10:00 a.m.
After the release of a controversial Rutgers University basketball practice video starring coach Mike Rice, State Sen. Tom Kean (R-Union) shared his unambiguously negative assessment of the situation on Wednesday morning:
Everyone in New Jersey is deeply offended by Mike Rice’s inexcusable actions against student athletes who he is highly paid to mold and shape. In addition to being tasked with winning basketball games, Mr. Rice is paid by the public to foster the growth of student athletes and the overall success of New Jersey’s flagship university. If there is no compelling reason why Mr. Rice was allowed to continue coaching young people, then he should be immediately fired.”
The Christie Administration’s official statement from yesterday afternoon also included a call for swift action:
Governor 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.”
What do you think, Scarlet Save Jerseyans?
According to ESPN, a decision on Rice’s future could come down from RU as early as today…
