Rutgers University finally announced on Wednesday morning that it has fired men’s basketball coach Mike Rice. After seeing the disturbing videos that resulted in his December suspension, most people felt that the termination was long overdue.
ABC News caught up with Rice just a few hours after his firing, and he appeared to be fighting back tears as he offered an apology.
“I stated three months ago after I watched the video how deeply regrettable those actions (were),” Rice said. “I also stated I was going to work on changing and I think I’ve accomplished a lot of that. I can’t say anything right now except I’m sorry. There will never be a time where I’m going to use any of that as an excuse.”
He seemed particularly emotional when discussing his family and the various people he has disappointed.
“I’ve let so many people down — my players, my administration, Rutgers University, the fans. My family, who’s just sitting in their house huddled around because of the fact that their father was an embarrassment to them. It’s trouble but I will, in some time, maybe try to explain it. But right now there’s no explanation for what’s on those films because their is no excuse for it.
“I was wrong. I want to tell everyone who has believed in me that I’m deeply sorry for the pain and hardship that I’ve caused.”
For most, that won’t cut it. When something like this happens you always have to wonder if the person is truly sorry, or simply sorry they got caught. Had Rice not been videotaped, there’s no telling how long he would have gone on physically and mentally abusing players. Someone like that has no place coaching college athletics.
