Coach Mike Rice was fired from Rutgers University on Wednesday, after ESPN’s Outside the Lines aired a video footage of Rice physically and verbally abusing players. The video showed the coach shoving, grabbing, throwing balls at players, and using homophobic remarks.
“Based upon recently revealed information and a review of previously discovered issues, Rutgers has terminated the contract of Mike Rice,” the school statement read.
In a statement obtained by Fox News, Rutgers President Robert Barchi, said Rice’s language and actions were “deeply offensive and egregiously violate” the university’s values. Gov. Chris Christie and the head of the New Jersey Assembly called for Rice to be fired.
The state school had previously punished Rice in December, suspending him for three games and fining him $50,000. Rice reportedly earned an average of $650,000 annually when he signed a five-year contract in 2010.
Rice said on an ESPN broadcast:
“I can’t say anything right now except I’m sorry,” he said. “There is never going to be a time when I use any of that as an excuse. …I’ve let so many people down — my players, administration, Rutgers University, the fans, my family sitting huddled around just because their father was an embarrassment to them. It’s troubling. At some time maybe I’ll try to explain it. But right now … there is no excuse for it. I was wrong. I’m going to tell everybody who believed in me that I’m deeply sorry for the pain and sorrow that I’ve caused.”
44-year-old Rice is married to 44-year-oldd Kerry K. Tack, later known as Kerry Rice. The couple reside in Little Silver, N.J., with their children, 7-year-old Michael, Jr. and 5-year-old Katie.
After signing the deal with Rutgers in 2010, Rice moved his family from Pittsburgh to Little Silver. 44-year-old Kerry has also lived in Middletown, NJ, Red Bank, NJ, and New York, NY.
Mike Rice was born in Pittsburgh, PA. He grew up in a basketball family as his father, Mike Rice, Sr., was the head coach at Duquesne and Youngstown State.
Follow Mike Rice on Twitter here.
