NEWARK, N.J., May 31 (UPI) -- Rutgers University is under fire for hiring Athletic Director Julie Hermann, who allegedly has a history of abusing players, The New York Times reported.
Hermann replaced Tim Pernetti, a former television executive who resigned in the wake of a scandal surrounding men's basketball Coach Mike Rice, who reportedly abused players at practice. Rice was fired.
Accusations against Hermann came shortly after she was hired by Rutgers this month, the Times reported.
Hermann was accused of abusing players at both Louisville and Tennessee and has been involved in two lawsuits, the report said.
One lawsuit ended with a jury awarding $150,000 to an assistant coach at Tennessee who said Hermann discouraged her from becoming pregnant.
The second lawsuit, which is pending, involves a former assistant track coach at Louisville who said she was fired after complaining to Hermann about sex discrimination, the report said.
Many have criticized the 28-member committee that selected Hermann and have questioned how extensive the candidates' vetting process was.
Members of the committee told the Times the hiring was rushed and that the process was often secretive.
