After promising to look into the hiring of Rutgers University's new Athletic Director, Julie Hermann, accused of verbal abuse as a volleyball coach 16 years ago, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has now decided not to interfere in the university's internal matters.
"My job is not to run Rutgers. That's the job of the board of governors and President Barchi and the general counsel, John Farmer, all of whom I have respect for. These are their decisions," Christie said. "They decided to hire Eddie Jordan. They decided to hire Julie Hermann. And now they have to deal with the questions that are being raised."
Just Tuesday, Hermann received a vote of confidence from President Barchi and Board of Governors of Rutgers, saying that her employment at the University is not at risk. Her official responsibility with a pay check of $450,000-a-year doesn't start until June 17.
An excerpt of the statement issued by Barchi in support of Hermann:
"Julie was one of 63 individuals initially considered by the search committee and she swiftly stood out as a leading candidate. The search was coordinated by an experienced executive search firm and included a thorough background check conducted by one of the world's leading private security firms."
"Over the course of the search, Julie's record established her as a proven leader in athletics administration with a strong commitment to academic success as well as athletic excellence, and a strong commitment to the well-being of student athletes."
However, State Senator Raymond Lesniak and Senator Barbara Buono, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, expressed their discontent over Barchi's backing of Hermann.
"I don't know how many chances we can give this president to mess up," Buono said. "I've lost all confidence in his ability to lead the university."
Apart from Lesniak, former Gov. Richard Codey has also called for Barchi's resignation and re-hiring of former Rutgers President Richard McCormick to stabilize the matters at the university.
Buono had previously requested Gov. Christie to intervene.
"I have lost confidence in his ability to guide the university out of this imbroglio," Buono said. "If the Board of Governors will not take action, Governor Christie must force their hand."
Rice and Hermann Face Abusive Charges
Apparently, Hermann also faced abusive charges 16 years ago, similar to Rutgers' former men's basketball coach Mike Rice, when she was the women's volleyball coach at the University of Tennessee.
Rice's controversy that lasted for over a month, saw forced resignation from former AD Tim Pernetti and the departure of Rice and the men's basketball assistant coach Jimmy Martelli. Rutgers hired Hermann, May 15, to replace Pernetti.
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, mental 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.
Hermann Speaks to Media
Hermann held a telephone conference, Monday, with reporters and denied the allegations put forth by former volleyball players she once coached.
"Am I an intense coach? I'm absolutely an intense coach as many coaches are," Hermann said. "But there is a big canyon between being super-intense and abuse. And this was not an abusive environment for these women."
Students Unhappy With Recent Controversies
Rutgers students also lashed out at the university's human resources department for their hiring process.
"There was obviously a problem in the hiring process," said Sanath Sambamoorthi, 21, a mechanical engineering major. "It's kind of ridiculous. They need to start looking at these coaches more deeply before they hire them."
"It would be sad if that's the only thing Rutgers is known for, abusive coaches," Vinny Maglori, 20, an English major said.
Allegations Disclosed
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 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:
Kim Tibbets , a former colleague and an assistant coach under Hermann has defended her actions. "I was in every huddle and involved in every volleyball substitution, and what they are saying is crazy," said Tibbetts (formerly Kim Zenner). "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 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.