A law firm’s investigation has determined that former Rutgers defensive coordinator Dave Cohen did not bully a former player and that the player did not suffer retaliation for reporting the incident.
Former Scarlet Knights defensive back Jevon Tyree accused Cohen of abusive language and threats before quitting the team in November of 2013.Tyree left the team last November after alleging that then-defensive coordinator Dave Cohen had verbally abused him and threatened to head-butt him during a spring study hall session at the school in New Brunswick. The player said the assistant then treated him unfairly once the season started.
The incident took place in front of teammates and an academic adviser, who reported it at a time when Rutgers was under national scrutiny following the release of videotapes showing then-basketball coach Mike Rice verbally and physically abusing his players while yelling homophobic slurs.
According to the investigation, Cohen did use inappropriate language with Tyree, but noted that head coach Kyle Flood immediately rebuked Cohen afterward and then addressed the issue with his coaching staff.
Cohen was later fired by Rutgers and then hired by Wake Forest as its defensive line coach.
The law firm interviewed over 40 people in making its assessment. No word yet on whether Tyree will continue pursuing a law suit against Rutgers.