Under pressure from faculty and media, Rutgers and embattled AD Tim Pernetti, who initially chose to suspend but not fire abusive basketball coach Mike Rice, have parted ways, ESPN reports.

Image by Mel Evans / AP

Today, ESPN's Brett McMurphy reported that Rutgers Athletic Director Tim Pernetti, who both hired coach Mike Rice and initially chose to retain him after video surfaced of the coach abusing his players, has been dismissed by the school. UPDATE: Pernetti appears to have sent a resignation letter, for what it's worth.

The move came in the wake of tremendous media and internal pressure for Pernetti, who had been athletic director since 2009, to be dismissed; over 50 faculty members signed a letter to university president Robert Barchi insisting that he lose his job. But not all of the Rutgers' community has insisted that Pernetti go: prominent members of the athletic family, including paralyzed former football player Eric LeGrand, NFL running back Ray Rice, and former NFL lineman Shaun O'Hara, called for Pernetti retain his job.

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