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Tim Pernetti's tenure as Rutgers athletic director appears to be near the end. (John Munson/The Star-Ledger)

(John Munson/The Star-Ledger)

Tim Pernetti is out as Rutgers athletic director, The Star-Ledger has learned.

According to multiple people informed of the decision, Pernetti is the latest casualty from the release of a compilation of video clips showing men's basketball coach Mike Rice yelling profane and abusive language at his players and throwing basketballs at their heads during practices.

The people were not authorized to speak publicly because the school had not made an official announcement. The university will hold a press conference at 1 p.m.

It was not immediately clear by the sources whether Pernetti would be fired or resign.

Rice was dismissed Wednesday because of the public outcry that followed a report on ESPN's "Outside the Lines" program, and Pernetti's handling of the video clips -- which first came to Rutgers' attention in November -- was also drawn into question.

In December, based on a report from an independent investigator that had viewed the videotapes, and on the advice of school lawyers, Pernetti suspended Rice for three games and fined him $50,000 instead of firing him then.

Connell Foley LLP, in Roseland, the outside law firm hired by the university last year to advise on whether to fire or punish Rice, and the school considered how much legal action it was risking, with two years left on the coach’s contract. And even on Tuesday afternoon, after the tapes became public, Pernetti was still supporting Rice.

But support for Rice evaporated Tuesday after Rutgers president Robert Barchi saw the video for the first time, according to university officials.

Wednesday night, John B. Wolf, the general counsel at Rutgers, abruptly resigned. It was his recommendation in December that Rice not be fired.

In addition, assistant basketball coach Jimmy Martelli, twice shown shoving a player during one segment on the tape, also resigned Wednesday.



Pernetti's departure comes less than six months after he was lauded for playing an integral role in securing Rutgers' invitation to join the Big Ten, expected to result in a significant financial boost for the school's athletic budget.

Pernetti, 42, was hired in 2009 -- signing a five-year contract worth $410,000 annually, with an annual performance bonus of $50,000 and a $12,000 annual car stipend. That contract is due to expire in June 2014 -- months before Rutgers begins competing in the Big Ten.