Former Rutgers assistant coach Eric Murdock confirmed to The Post Thursday that his attorneys will file a wrongful termination suit against the school today on his behalf. He did not answer calls to his home or cell, and responded via text that he could not elaborate further.
His lawyer, Barry A. Kozyra, also isn’t talking, but his paperwork is speaking loud and clear. He gave The Post documents claiming Rutgers was told about Mike Rice’s abusive behavior last June, that Murdock was fired instead of heeded the next month, and they had asked for a $950,000 settlement.
Murdock Letter by New York Post
For perspective, the 44-year-old Murdock — a former Bridgewater-Raritan (N.J.) West standout who was a former first-round pick of the Utah Jazz and made more than $11 million in nine NBA seasons — made just $70,000 as Rutgers’ director of player development.
Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti — who could lose his job over the scandal — said Murdock wasn’t fired but that his contract simply wasn’t renewed after he and Rice fell out over Murdock’s participation in a camp. Murdock’s lawyers counter that he was fired only after bringing Rice’s behavior to Rutgers’ attention.
After Murdock gave Pernetti a 40-minute video showing Rice kicking, pushing and throwing balls at players — as well as using gay slurs — on Nov. 26, Rice was fined $50,000 and suspended for three games on Dec. 13. On Dec. 27, Kozyra sent a letter to John Bennett, then Rutgers’ lead counsel.
“We find it astonishing that even to this day Mr. Rice and others within the Rutgers community refuse to admit that they were aware of player abuse by Mr. Rice prior to our in-person video presentation on Nov. 26, 2012,’’ Kozyra wrote. “Given the videotape and the fact that much of the abuse occurred at the Rutgers Athletic Center in plain view, Rutgers should have been aware.
“Again, Mr. Rice’s inappropriate behavior and acts were previously raised by Mr. Murdock many months ago with many Rutgers management personnel prior to his wrongful and illegal termination and before presentation of the video.’’
That video found its way to ESPN, which aired portions this week on “Outside The Lines.” Rutgers president Robert L. Barchi has said he wasn’t shown the video until Tuesday, and in the wake of a national embarrassment, Rice was fired at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Pernetti was reportedly told the school wouldn’t be able to fire Rice for cause. Rutgers interim senior vice president and general counsel John B. Wolf, who had recommended against firing Rice, was removed from his position this week. Meanwhile, ESPN reported that FBI special agent James Tareco was on the Rutgers campus yesterday questioning individuals about Murdock.
Additional reporting by Zach Braziller