ESPN First Take | Rutgers Coach Mike Rice caught abuse players in practice - ESPN Sport First Take

Summary

The video discusses the fallout from a disturbing video of Rutgers basketball coach Mike Rice verbally and physically abusing his players, including using homophobic slurs and throwing basketballs at them. Hosts Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless express outrage over the coach's actions and criticize Rutgers Athletic Director Tim Pernetti for his inadequate response, including a minimal three-game suspension and a $50,000 fine. Both commentators argue that Rice should have been fired immediately. The discussion touches on the broader issue of abusive coaching practices in college basketball and ends with the announcement that Rice has been fired from his position.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mike Rice, the head basketball coach at Rutgers, was caught on video throwing basketballs and using homophobic slurs at his players during practice.
• 😀 The Rutgers athletic director, Tim Fornetti, initially imposed a three-game suspension and a $50,000 fine on Rice, but many questioned whether the punishment was adequate.
• 😀 Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless, both analysts, strongly believe Rice should have been fired immediately for his behavior, citing the severity of the video evidence.
• 😀 Smith argues that Rutgers should face public pressure for allowing Rice to remain as coach after such egregious actions were revealed.
• 😀 Bayless suggests that Fornetti overprotected Rice as his first big hire, questioning why the video wasn’t released earlier to show the extent of the coach’s misconduct.
• 😀 Rice’s behavior was not a one-time incident, but ongoing and violent over a period of years, leading to concerns about his ability to manage players.
• 😀 Both analysts agree that the video should have been made public earlier, as it shows behavior beyond verbal abuse and includes physical aggression toward the players.
• 😀 Smith emphasizes that if he were a parent, he would not allow his child to play for Rice, and the incident could negatively impact Rutgers’ recruiting efforts.
• 😀 Despite some players defending Rice's actions, the video revealed a pattern of abusive behavior that went well beyond typical coaching methods.
• 😀 The end result was the firing of Mike Rice, with Fornetti acknowledging his earlier mistake in how the situation was handled and stating he would work to regain trust from the university.

Q & A

Why did Mike Rice's actions become a significant issue?

Mike Rice's actions became a major issue due to disturbing video footage showing him verbally and physically abusing players during practice, including hurling basketballs at them and using homophobic slurs.

What was Rutgers University's initial response to the video?

Rutgers University's initial response to the video was to suspend Mike Rice for three games and fine him $50,000, along with mandating anger-management classes.

Why do Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless believe Mike Rice should have been fired immediately?

Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless argue that Mike Rice's behavior was so egregious, both verbally and physically, that immediate termination was necessary to show zero tolerance for such abusive actions.

What role did the video play in the ultimate decision to fire Mike Rice?

The video, which was released publicly by *Outside the Lines*, played a critical role in the decision to fire Mike Rice, as it revealed the severity of his behavior, prompting public outcry and forcing Rutgers University to take action.

How did the Athletic Director Tim Pernetti handle the situation initially?

Tim Pernetti, the Athletic Director, initially suspended Mike Rice for three games and imposed a $50,000 fine but did not take more drastic action, which later drew criticism after the video's release.

What criticisms did Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless have regarding the Athletic Director's response?

Both Smith and Bayless criticized Tim Pernetti for overprotecting his hire, Mike Rice, and for not acting decisively enough. They believed that the Athletic Director should have fired Rice immediately after seeing the footage.

What was the broader implication of the incident on college basketball and coaching?

The incident highlighted a disturbing culture of tolerance for abusive coaching behavior in college basketball, raising questions about how such behavior is often overlooked or under-punished in the sport.

Why do Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless believe the Athletic Director should also face consequences?

They believe that since the Athletic Director, Tim Pernetti, allowed the abuse to continue by issuing only a mild penalty, he shares responsibility for enabling the toxic environment and should also be held accountable, potentially through suspension or termination.

How did the video impact public perception of Mike Rice and Rutgers University?

The video significantly damaged Mike Rice's reputation, as viewers were shocked by the level of abuse. It also hurt Rutgers University's image, as the university was criticized for initially reacting too leniently and only taking strong action after public outcry.

What did LeBron James tweet regarding Mike Rice's behavior?

LeBron James tweeted his support for the idea that Mike Rice should be removed from his position, expressing that no coach should treat players in such an abusive manner.