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Basketball coach Mike Rice sacked by Rutgers University Basketball coach Mike Rice sacked by Rutgers University
(35 minutes later)
A US university has bowed to pressure to sack its head basketball coach over footage of him physically abusing players and screaming homophobic slurs.A US university has bowed to pressure to sack its head basketball coach over footage of him physically abusing players and screaming homophobic slurs.
The dismissal of Mike Rice from Rutgers University in New Jersey was effective immediately, a college spokesman said.The dismissal of Mike Rice from Rutgers University in New Jersey was effective immediately, a college spokesman said.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and NBA star LeBron James were among those who condemned the coach's conduct.New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and NBA star LeBron James were among those who condemned the coach's conduct.
Mr Rice apologised on Wednesday, saying there was no excuse for his actions captured on video.Mr Rice apologised on Wednesday, saying there was no excuse for his actions captured on video.
He was recruited in 2010 to be head basketball coach at Rutgers, which finished last season near the bottom of their league, the prestigious Big East Conference.He was recruited in 2010 to be head basketball coach at Rutgers, which finished last season near the bottom of their league, the prestigious Big East Conference.
"I've let so many people down: my players, my administration, Rutgers University, the fans," Mr Rice told ABC News in an interview outside his home. "I've let so many people down: my players, my administration, Rutgers University, the fans," Mr Rice told ABC News in an interview outside his home on Wednesday.
"My family [are] sitting in their house just huddled around because of the fact that their father was an embarrassment to them.""My family [are] sitting in their house just huddled around because of the fact that their father was an embarrassment to them."
'Disturbing behaviour''Disturbing behaviour'
Featuring clips shot between 2010-12, the video shows Mr Rice shouting obscenities, hurling balls at team members, as well as kicking and grabbing them. Featuring clips shot between 2010-12, the video aired on sports network ESPN shows Mr Rice shouting obscenities, hurling balls at team members, as well as kicking and grabbing them.
Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti viewed the footage late last year, ESPN reported. Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti reportedly viewed the footage late last year.
The university then suspended Mr Rice for three games and asked him to pay a $50,000 (£33,000) fine. The university then suspended Mr Rice for three games, fined him $75,000 (£50,000) and ordered him to attend anger management classes.
On Wednesday, Rutgers President Robert Barchi said in a statement on the university website: "Coach Rice's abusive language and actions are deeply offensive and egregiously violate the university's core values."On Wednesday, Rutgers President Robert Barchi said in a statement on the university website: "Coach Rice's abusive language and actions are deeply offensive and egregiously violate the university's core values."
Mr Barchi added that the video revealed a "chronic and pervasive pattern of disturbing behaviour", which led to his dismissal.Mr Barchi added that the video revealed a "chronic and pervasive pattern of disturbing behaviour", which led to his dismissal.
The decision to fire Mr Rice comes amid mounting pressure at both state and national level for the university to take action.The decision to fire Mr Rice comes amid mounting pressure at both state and national level for the university to take action.
Gov Christie was "deeply disturbed" by the footage, said his spokesman Michael Drewniak. Gov Christie said in a statement that he was "deeply disturbed" by the footage.
"It's not the type of leadership we should be showing our young people and clearly there are questions about this behaviour that need to be answered by the leaders at Rutgers University," he told ESPN. "This was a regrettable episode for the university, but I completely support the decision to remove Coach Rice," he said.
New Jersey Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver said the coach's conduct was "unbecoming of our state".New Jersey Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver said the coach's conduct was "unbecoming of our state".
She called for an investigation into why Rutgers decided not to fire Mr Rice when it first became aware of the video.She called for an investigation into why Rutgers decided not to fire Mr Rice when it first became aware of the video.
One of the most famous basketball players in the US, the Miami Heat's LeBron James, tweeted: "If my son played for Rutgers or a coach like that he would have some real explaining to do and I'm still gone whoop on him afterwards! C'mon.'' One of the most famous basketball players in the US, the Miami Heat forward LeBron James, tweeted: "If my son played for Rutgers or a coach like that he would have some real explaining to do and I'm still gone whoop on him afterwards! C'mon.''
Athletic director Mr Pernetti apologised for not taking more robust action when the footage first came to his attention.Athletic director Mr Pernetti apologised for not taking more robust action when the footage first came to his attention.
"I am responsible for the decision to attempt a rehabilitation of Coach Rice," he said in a written statement."I am responsible for the decision to attempt a rehabilitation of Coach Rice," he said in a written statement.
Saying that Rutgers had considered firing him at the time, Mr Pernetti added: "I thought it was in the best interest of everyone to rehabilitate, but I was wrong."Saying that Rutgers had considered firing him at the time, Mr Pernetti added: "I thought it was in the best interest of everyone to rehabilitate, but I was wrong."