Former Robert Morris player: Rice used gay slur

Moon Township, Pa. • A former Robert Morris player has told school officials former coach Mike Rice used a homophobic slur and threw a basketball at a player "once or twice" during his time at the university.

Rice was fired by Rutgers last week after video of the coach verbally and physically abusing players became public. A former Rutgers staff member alleged Rice engaged in several "coaches versus players" brawls while coaching the Colonials from 2007-10.

Robert Morris athletic director Craig Coleman says an internal investigation uncovered no evidence of the alleged fights. Coleman says one player, who left the program while Rice was in charge, told officials Rice directed a gay slur at him and got into a shoving match with another player during halftime of a game. The other player denied having improper contact with Rice.