Mike Rice Interview: Fired Rutgers Coach Says 'I Was Wrong' (VIDEO)

Shortly after Rutgers announced its decision to fire basketball coach Mike Rice, the 44-year-old spoke with WABC outside of his home in New Jersey.

Rice was noticeably upset as he apologized for the menacing behavior revealed in video aired by ESPN's Outside the Lines.

"As I stated three months ago, after I watched the video, how deeply regrettable those actions... I also stated that I was going to try to work on changing and I think I have accomplished a lot of that. I can't say anything right now except I'm sorry. There will never be a time where I'm going to use any of that as an excuse," he said. "I've let so many people down. My players, my administration, Rutgers University, the fans, my family who is sitting in their house just huddled around because of the fact that their father was an embarrassment to them. It's troubling but I will at some time, maybe I will try to explain it but right now there's no explanation for what's on those films. Because there is no excuse for them. I was wrong."

According to the Outside The Lines report, portions of the video obtained by ESPN led to Rice being suspended for three games in December 2012. Rutgers Athletic director Tim Pernetti said at the time that the suspension was a result of inappropriate behavior and language, per the Associated Press.

"I am responsible for the decision to attempt a rehabilitation of Coach Rice," Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti said in an email on Wednesday explaining the termination. "Dismissal and corrective action were debated in December and I thought it was in the best interest of everyone to rehabilitate, but I was wrong. Moving forward, I will work to regain the trust of the Rutgers community."

As news of the firing began to spread, many reacted to Rutgers' decision on Twitter, including New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.