Rutgers Reportedly Paid $70K for Background Check Before Hiring New AD

The controversy surrounding newly hired Rutgers athletic director Julie Hermann continues, as the university reportedly paid $70,000 for a background check on Hermann last month.

Keith Sargeant of the Asbury Park Press broke the news on Wednesday, reporting that Rutgers hired Parker Executive Search to conduct the checkup on Hermann.   

Despite testimony from Hermann's former Tennessee Lady Volunteer volleyball players of emotional abuse when Hermann coached the squad, the expensive background search on Hermann unearthed nothing regarding that alleged conduct.

According to Sargeant, the accusations of Hermann's abuse came less than a month after Rutgers hired new men's basketball coach Eddie Jordan, who did not graduate from Rutgers, contrary to what the school said. Jordan doesn't have a college degree at all.

Since Rutgers appointed Parker Executive Search four years ago to find candidates for the new AD position back in 2009—which resulted in the selection of Tim Pernetti—the firm has lowered its standard $90,000 price due to "ongoing business" with the school.

The contract required Rutgers to pay $35,000 for services performed and $35,000 after "the hiring of a successful candidate."

Notable aspects of the background check include conducting media reviews for areas of concern that could be controversial, reference checks and a signed statement from the candidate to confirm the accuracy of his or her biography.

This test is quite the expenditure, but it appears to have cleared Hermann's name for the time being. She has yet to even take over as the university's sixth AD in its history.

That won't happen until June 17, but the fight is already on for Hermann to maintain her prestigious job.