New Rutgers Athletic Director Under Fire From Former Players, Coach

Incoming Rutgers University Athletic Director Julie Hermann is under fire for her alleged actions at the University of Tennessee, including allegations of mental abuse against players on the volleyball team she coached.

According to nj.com, it was 16 years ago that a group of players on the Lady Volunteers volleyball team submitted a letter stating Hermann controlled her players through mental cruelty, humiliation, fear and mental abuse.

Shortly thereafter, a meeting was called involving Hermann, the players and Tennessee’s Athletic Director. Hermann stopped coaching the team after that meeting.

She went on to become the Assistant Athletic Director at the University of Louisville before being hired as Athletic Director at Rutgers.

She replaced Tim Pernetti, who resigned from Rutgers last month during a scandal involving head basketball coach Mike Rice.

Rice was fired from Rutgers after a video surfaced showing what was termed “abusive behavior” toward his players during practice.

The report states Hermann also faces allegations from Former Tennessee assistant volleyball coach Ginger Hineline, who claims she was fired because she was pregnant. Hineline claims Hermann insinuated several times that Hineline should not become pregnant, hinting “it could cost her her job,” according to nj.com.

Hermann made a similar speech at Hineline’s wedding, which Hermann first claimed she had no memory of making before saying it was a “smart alec comment.”

Hermann, 49, will be paid a salary of $450,000 and will be eligible for annual performance bonuses of up to $50,000. Her first day on the job is scheduled for June 17.

For the full report, visit nj.com.