Several months ago, Rutgers University fired head men’s basketball coach Mike Rice after a video surfaced showing Rice’s crude coaching techniques.  In an attempt by Rutgers to salvage their tarnished reputation, Rice’s departure was soon followed by the firing of athletic director Tim  Pernetti.

Enter Julie Hermann.

Eleven days ago, Hermann was introduced as Rutger’s new athletic director; specifically chosen by the university to lead their athletic department out from the shadows of scandal.  Unfortunately for Rutgers, they may have to stay in those shadows for a bit longer.  Recently, as reported by Craig Wolff /The Star-Ledger, a sixteen-year-old letter surfaced from Hermann’s volleyball coaching days at Tennessee casting Rutger’s new athletic director in a not-so-pleasing light.  The letter, written by Hermann’s team, states “the mental cruelty that we as a team have suffered is unbearable,” more than that, they said the coach had called them “whores, alcoholics and learning disabled.”  Just what Rutgers didn’t want to hear.

Though Hermann denies that she has any memory of the letter, it would seem that Rutgers still has a way to go before they can move forward from their recent scandals.