Robert L. Barchi, president of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, announced the firing of the school's athletic director, Tim Pernetti, in an April 5 press conference, two days after Rutgers had fired its head men's basketball coach, Mike Rice, for physically and verbally abusing players, including the use of gay slurs, while conducting practices over two seasons.

In the press conference, Barchi thanked Pernetti for his service, and read Pernetti's letter of resignation to the assembled media. Pernetti's letter stated, in part, that Pernetti had previously wanted Rutgers to fire Rice, but that “Rutgers decided to follow a process involving university lawyers, human resources professionals, and outside counsel. Following review of the independent investigative report, the consensus was that university policy would not justify dismissal.”

Barchi defended his decision back in December 2012, to suspend and fine, but not fire, Rice. Barchi said Pernetti gave him only a summary of the situation, which in turn was “based on the advice of Rutgers' General Counsel and outside legal advisors.” Barchi went on to say that lawyers counseled Pernetti on the matter, and that the lawyers bore responsibility for the decision along with other Rutgers officials.