Former Rutgers defensive back Jevon Tyree has come forward claiming that defensive coordinator Dave Cohen was verbally abusive and physically threatened him during an offseason meeting, according to NJ.com.
Former player accuses Rutgers football coach of bullying
Less than one year after a coaching abuse scandal rocked the Rutgers athletic department, the school could have another problem on its hands.
Jim O’Connor-USA TODAY Sports
Cohen reportedly singled out Tyree in front of a group of his teammates in April, used derogatory language to his face and threatened to head-butt him. Tyree claims that the outburst began a process of ostracization, which eventually led him to quit the team after a wide receiver was moved to defensive back ahead of him on the depth chart after injuries hit the secondary.
Tyree and his parents are pursuing disciplinary action against Cohen. Cohen reportedly apologized to Tyree the following day and was reprimanded by head coach Kyle Flood, and the school claims that new athletic director Julie Hermann spoke with Tyree’s father. That’s a different story from what the Tyree family claims. They said that they have never spoken with Hermann, and that attempts to speak to Flood about the incident have been futile.
Considering Rutgers just went through a coaching abuse scandal that led to the termination of men’s basketball coach Mike Rice and athletic director Tim Pernetti, one would expect the school to be proactive in this situation and get out in front of any bullying or abuse accusations. Rutgers claims that it has, but this is probably not the last we’ll hear of this story.
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