Rutgers and Post-Modern Ethics

[cthulu2016]

Background: Rutger's basketball coach was taped, in incidents from 1-3 years ago, assaulting players, calling them gay-slur terms, etc.. Rutgers had the tapes months ago, and did some disciplinary something--a fine was involved.

Then a few days ago someone released the tapes to the media. Bingo! The coach is fired.

Now, check this out... "Based upon recently revealed information and a review of previously discovered issues, Rutgers has terminated the contract of Mike Rice"

"Based upon recently revealed information..."

Not recently discovered. Not "new to us." But yes, recently revealed to the media.

"...and a review of previously discovered issues"

There already WAS "a review of previously discovered issues." It did not result in firing the coach. The only new "review" was a review of how something looked on TV, versus in a safe in your office.

This is post-modern ethics... it is some kind of quantum uncertainty thing, like Schrödinger's cat. It's not an offense unless people outside the box (Rutgers, in this instance) find out about it. As if only the leak of the tapes to the media this week somehow created the abuse from a year ago.

Rutgers Coach Mike Rice Fired for Video of His Kicking, Berating Players

Rutgers University men's basketball coach Mike Rice has been fired by the New Jersey school after ESPN aired video of his shoving and kicking players while berating them with gay slurs.

"Based upon recently revealed information and a review of previously discovered issues, Rutgers has terminated the contract of Mike Rice," Rutgers athletics tweeted this morning.

Rutgers Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tim Pernetti also released a statement:

"I am responsible for the decision to attempt a rehabilitation of Coach Rice," he said. "Dismissal and corrective action were debated in December and I thought it was in the best interest of everyone to rehabilitate, but I was wrong. Moving forward, I will work to regain the trust of the Rutgers community." ...

http://abcnews.go.com/US/rutgers-coach-mike-rice-fire-video-kicking-berating/story?id=18868329#.UVxCTKJzGpA

[Kber]

1. In other words, knowing the coach is a jerk could hurt recruiting efforts

[exboyfil]

2. Since disciplinary action had already been taken

and no known violations since then, I wonder if the coach has grounds for improper termination. I bet he comes out ahead on the dollars.

AD and probably the president should go as well.

[cthulu2016]

3. It's an intriguing question

I would guess his contract has some "best interests of Rutgers" thing in it... but maybe he will get his whole contract paid.