Rutgers University
Head Men’s Basketball Coach Scandal
Rutgers University Background
• Founded in 1766 • Located in New Jersey • Mission: “Preparing students to become productive members of society and good citizens of the world” • Student Body: 58,000
– All 50 states and over 125 countries are represented
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
• Among the first American institutions to engage in intercollegiate sports • Since 1978 Rutgers was a member of the Atlantic 10 conference • Joined the Big East Conference in 1991 • Left for Big Ten Conference in 2013 • 27 Division I intercollegiate athletic programs
Men’s Basketball Program
• One Final Four appearance in 1976 • Most recent Head Coach was Mike Rice
– – – – 17th Head Coach in team history Hired on May 6, 2010 Fired April 3, 2013 29-35 overall record
L – Mike Rice, R - Athletic Director Tim Pernetti
Controversy
• In December 2012 Mike Rice suspended for 3 games and fined $75,000 for conduct detrimental to the team • ESPN “Outside the Lines” program received details about the fine and suspension which started the media firestorm. • Video evidence shows Mike Rice verbally and physically abusing his players at team practices
ESPN Findings
• Rutgers ran a 17-day fact finding inquiry before suspending Mike Rice • First alerted of behavior by former team assistant Eric Murdock (has since been let go by team) • Athletic director Pernetti and University President decided to suspend Rice instead of fire him
Video of Mike Rice abusing players
Fallout
• The University thought that the suspension and fine was sufficient, but due to the media coverage, the “court of public opinion” made their decision • Mike Rice fired on April 3, 2013 • AD Pernetti “resigned” April 4, 2013
Criticism
• Public furious due to Rice not being fired earlier
– Shocked over the treatment of student athletes
• Figure pointing in the media • Rice still collected bonus from Rutgers • Social media made the situation impossible to ignore
Criticism Cont…
• Some of the most famous athletes weighed in…
• Every news outlet reported on the lack of response from the University
– Not protecting the students
• Why was team assistant Eric Murdock left go?
Division
• Many feel that the blame lies with the University President and instead he just made AD Pernetti a scapegoat
– University donors not happy about Pernetti’s forced resignation – Former players supporting him
• New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Board of Directors still supporting the decision that was made
Legal Battle
• Fired team assistant Eric Murdock filled a whistle blower lawsuit
– Released by team after showing incriminating evidence – Seeking unspecified damages for wrongful termination
Pernetti
• Popular among Rutgers students, alumni, and donors
– Eric LeGrand started a movement to keep Pernetti
• Pernetti lead the charge to move Rutgers into a higher profile Big Ten Conference
– Earned University a lot of money in TV contracts
• Donors pulling donations
Analysis of Company Response
• Main criticism is response time dealing with the issue
– Would Rutgers have fired him if issue were not made public? – Media outcry made decision for the University
• Original punishment not fit for the crime • Why wasn’t the President more involved in the process?
– Seemed to turn a blind eye to the problem
• Blame game • Mike Rice was not fired for cause somehow
– Means he’s owed the remainder of his contact (~$1 million owed)
Solution
• Athletic Director Pernetti should have involved the President and Board of Directors so all parties were aware of the issue from the start
– Swift response, would not be an issue if dealt with back when originally happened
• Should have established cause for firing so Rice isn’t owed remainder of contract
– Leaves room for doubt that Rutgers has partial blame as a University
• Need to settle out of court with Eric Murdock in order to avoid another media black eye • Rutgers needs to be very transparent in order to move past this
Solution Cont…
• Find a clean, respectable head coach
– Need someone with a resume of winning – Winning on the field overcomes everyone off the field
