Rutgers fired basketball coach Mike Rice on Wednesday after a videotape aired showing him shoving, grabbing and throwing balls at players in practice and using gay slurs during practice.
The videotape, broadcast Tuesday on ESPN, prompted sharp criticism from Gov. Chris Christie, and the head of the New Jersey Assembly called for Rice to be fired.
With mounting criticism on a state and national level, the school decided to take action, relieving Rice of his duties after three largely unsuccessful seasons at the Big East school. There will be a national search to replace him.
Speaking Wednesday outside his home in Little Silver, Rice apologized and said he let down his players, Rutgers and its fans. He said he was an embarrassment to his family.
“There’s no explanation for what’s on those films because there is no excuse for it,” Rice said. “I was wrong.”
