Mike Rice Fired: Rutgers Coach Fired After Video Shows Him Berating Basketball Team

Rutgers men's basketball coach Mike Rice has been revealed according to the Rutgers athletics website after a video showed Rice verbally and physically berating players during a Rutgers practice this past November.

Newark Star-Ledger reporter Brendan Prunty posted information regarding the situation on Twitter early this morning.

"Two people with knowledge have informed me that Mike Rice has been called into a meeting with AD Tim Pernetti today."

That meeting was the last for Rice. He leaves after three seasons as head coach, including a 15-16 record this season that saw the Scarlet Knights finish 12th in the Big East conference.

Athletic Director Tim Pernetti was one of the first to see the video and days later suspended Rice for three games, slapped him with a $50,000 fine and demanded the 44-year-old head coach take anger management classes.

The video of Rice was shown to the public last night on ESPN television and immediately became the buzz of the social media world, sparking strong emotion from Miami Heat forward LeBron James.

"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," James posted on his Twitter account not long after viewing the video.

While scores of other athletes chimed in with their thoughts on the video, perhaps the biggest comment of the day came from New Jersey's top elected official.

"Governor Christie saw the video today for the first time and he is obviously deeply disturbed by the conduct displayed and strongly condemns this behavior," said Michael Drewniak in a statement issued by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

It should come as no surprise that Governor Christie had strong words given the magnitude of what took place on the tape. Coaches will always be fiery with players but a serious line is crossed when that coach gets physical with the player and uses unnecessary language to get a point across.

Before being hired as Rutgers head coach in 2010, Rice was the lead man at Robert Morris University, where he made postseason trips in all three years on the sideline, including back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. A graduate of Fordham University in New York, Rice has a strong assistant coaching resume as well with stops that include Marquette, St. Joseph's and Pittsburgh, Fordham and Niagara.