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Rutgers coach suspended, fined after video surfaces of players being abused – Pamela Brown reports
(CNN) - A video released by ESPN shows Rutgers University's head basketball coach shoving players, kicking them, hurling balls at their heads and yelling what appears to be homophobic slurs and profanity.
The video released Tuesday features Coach Mike Rice during the men's basketball team practices. It was not made public until Tuesday.
In addition to grabbing and shoving players, in the video Rice also berates them and uses profanity.
Rutgers athletic director Tom Pernetti suspended the coach for three games and fined him $50,000 after watching the video in November. He said he chose suspension rather than termination even though both options were on the table.
"Accountability is a vital element of the Rutgers Athletic family and it is imperative our head coaches act and lead in a responsible manner," Pernetti said in a news release in December.
CNN attempts to reach Rutgers University, Pernetti and Rice were unsuccessful Tuesday.
This morning on "Early Start," CNN's Pamela Brown reports on the newly released video and how it could impact Rice's coaching future.
READ MORE: Video shows Rutgers coach shoving, hitting and berating players
Rutgers President and Board have but one opportunity with a very small window. Act now - today– and fire this abominable coach. His behavior is intolerable. The fact that he was only suspended again demonstrates a close minded male culture who believe ANYTHING should be tolerated as long as "The Program" benefits. It's Penn State all over again. Will men never learn?
This kind of coach deserves to be shown the door. He is spreading his mental disease to all of these young kids. Improving sports skills is important in all young athletes, of course, but it does not require abusive behavior that will eventually be reproduced by these young kids in their future lives. When will we ever learn, that teachers, "good teachers" are to be sought after like GOLD, and the bad ones need to move on to other jobs. This affects all of our futures. Our kids are the future leaders. Get rid of this jerk. Show the public that this kind of coach is not acceptable. He probably needs serious therapy for his mental condition.