Problems for Rutgers University Athletics department are far from over.
After being embroiled in controversy over its former men's basketball coach, Mike Rice's verbal and abusive behavior that saw a forced resignation from former AD Tim Pernetti and the departure of the assistant coach too, the hiring of Julie Hermann as the next athletic director earlier this month was seen as a fresh start.
It's just been about three weeks and Hermann is already facing allegations from community members.
Apparently, Hermann also faced similar abusive charges 16 years ago, when she was the women's volleyball coach at University of Tennessee. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Sunday, promised to investigate the report and discuss the allegations with the university officials.
"I've got to talk to university officials and try to get the complete story. It would be irresponsible for me to comment at this point on it," Christie said. "I'm as curious as anybody and given my position, I get to ask questions more quickly than others so I'll be asking questions and we'll see what happens."
Hermann's Job At Risk?
Hermann, 49, quit as women's volleyball head coach from University of Tennessee, 1997, after its team members signed a letter accusing her of frequent humiliations and emotional and physical abuse. She was accused of calling players whores, alcoholics and learning disabled; mocking their weights and performances and forcing them to do 100 sideline push-ups during games.
If the team lost, Hermann was alleged to have made the players wear their workout clothes inside out in public and would not permit them to shower or eat.
In her defense, Hermann said that she is unable to recall the letter and that several players from the team were in touch with her still.
Ginger Hineline, former Vols assistant volleyball coach filed a lawsuit against Hermann in 1997, after she was fired for getting pregnant.
Initially, when Hineline discussed her plans of having a baby, Hermann said that she would be putting her job at risk. Hineline won a $150,000 settlement.
Former Colleagues Come to the Rescue
"I was in every huddle and involved in every volleyball substitution, and what they are saying is crazy," said Kim Tibbetts (formerly Kim Zenner), an assistant coach under Hermann since 1992. "I was by Julie's side in every meeting and every practice, and she never did what they're saying. What they are saying is not true. She was the most supportive coach. She loved those kids. What I'm hearing and seeing now is just shocking."
Tibbetts said that Hineline was fired because of her lack of performance, recruiting ability and her relationship with the players and not because she was pregnant. "Julie always stood up for women," she said.
Prior to Rutgers, Hermann was the senior executive athletic director at the University of Louisville.
"For the past 15 years here she did impeccable work for us. No one has said anything the past 15 years. She is beloved here. I never saw anything close to this. She is intense, but I don't know a coach who isn't," Louisville athletic director, Tom Jurich, said.
Rice's Departure
Last Month, the university expelled Rice and men's basketball assistant coach Jimmy Martelli, after ESPN aired a video showing him verbally and physically abusing players during practice sessions for the past two years. This video sparked outrage among students, faculty, state legislators, fans and even from Christie, calling for his suspension.
The video showed Rice shouting at players, 'You f**king fairy ... you're a f**king fa**ot,' throwing basketballs at players, hitting them in the back, legs, feet and shoulders, grabbing players by their jerseys, yanking them around the court and yelling obscenities and gay accusations.