Fired Rutgers coach Mike Rice apologizes for behavior

Mike Rice, who was fired Wednesday as basketball coach at Rutgers, apologized for the disturbing behavior he exhibited in a video that was broadcast on ESPN a day earlier.

Former assistant Eric Murdock caught Rice on camera as the coach bullied players -- shoving, pushing and throwing basketballs at them and shouting verbal abuse, including anti-gay slurs.

“I’ve let so many people down,” Rice said Wednesday morning. “My players. My administration. Rutgers University. The fans. My family, who is sitting in their house huddled around because of the fact that their father was an embarrassment to them. And it’s troubling.

“But at some time, maybe I will try to explain it. But right now there is no explaining it for what’s on those films. I was wrong.”

The firing was praised by New Jersey leaders, including Gov. Chris Christie.

“As we move on from this incident,” Christie said, “I am very optimistic that Rutgers will select a new head coach who not only puts a winning team on the court but will make everyone proud of the example he sets every day for the young men in his charge.”

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