by Fitzgerald Cecilio

New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers has suspended men's lacrosse head coach Brian Brecht pending investigation on allegations of verbal abuse, according to university president Robert Barchi.

"While I cannot comment on an ongoing investigation, let me reiterate that there is no place at Rutgers for words or actions that are inconsistent with the values of the university…Our university is committed to promoting an atmosphere of respect and dignity," Barchi said.

Barchi said Brecht, who has been Rutgers' coach since June 2011, will continue to be paid while the school investigates the allegations.

The university did not release any details about the verbal abuse allegations made against Brecht or how they were brought to the attention of campus officials.

However, university officials said the Rutgers Police Department is investigating the matter.

The 40-year-old Brecht did not respond to calls to comment on his suspension while Rutgers interim athletic director Carl Kirschner also declined to talk on the issue.

Brecht's suspension came days after the firing of basketball head coach Mike Rice, who was terminated when video emerged of him shouting obscenities, kicking and hitting players at practice.

After Rice's firing, Rutgers announced it would review practice tapes of every sport at the university.

"We will be looking closely at all intercollegiate athletics at Rutgers going forward. If we find problems, we will address them," Barchi said.

Brecht was hired by former Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti to replace Jim Stagnitta, who resigned as head lacrosse coach in May 2011 over disagreements with respect to the management of the program.

In the second year as Rutgers lacrosse coach, Brecht called the head coaching post at Rutgers his dream job.

The Long Island native spent seven years as head coach at Siena College in New York where he was a three-time coach of the year at Siena and led the school to several conference championships and NCAA tournament appearances.

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Rutgers Men's Lacrosse Coach Suspended for Verbal Abuse