Rutgers fires coach Kyle Flood, AD Julie Hermann (Updated)

Rutgers has fired head coach Kyle Flood and athletic director Julie Hermann, school president Robert Barchi announced Sunday.

In a letter addressed to the "Rutgers Community," Barchi said the athletic department needs a "fresh start."

"Today is a day of change for our Department of Athletics," Barchi wrote per NJ.com. "This afternoon, I spoke with Head Football Coach Kyle Flood and met with Director of Athletics Julie Hermann and informed them that I was exercising the university's right to terminate their contracts without cause and that I am relieving them of their duties effective immediately."

Flood just finished his fourth season leading the Scarlet Knights with a 46-41 loss to Maryland at home on Saturday. Rutgers lost to the Terps after blowing a 31-13 halftime lead. The loss gave the team a 4-8 record this season and Flood a 27-24 overall record.

Flood led the Scarlet Knights to bowl games in his first three seasons with the program (winning one), but the 2015 campaign was filled with off-the-field incidents.

Flood was suspended for three games and fined $50,000 after a university investigation determined that he had improper contact with a Rutgers faculty member concerning the grade of cornerback Nadir Barnwell.

On top of that, several Rutgers players were dismissed or suspended for various off-the-field incidents, including a home-invasion, an on-campus assault and an alleged incident of domestic violence involving star receiver Leonte Carroo (charges were later dropped and Carroo was reinstated to the team).

In all, seven Rutgers player were arrested this season.

"Kyle Flood has been a loyal and dedicated member of our community for more than a decade and our head football coach for four seasons, during which his teams won 26 games and played in three bowl games," Barchi wrote. "However, our continued struggles on the field combined with several off the field issues have convinced me that we need new leadership of our football program. I want to thank Kyle for his service to Rutgers and I also wish him and his family well in his next endeavor."

Running backs coach Norries Wilson will serve as the team's interim head coach to "lead the offseason program until a new head coach is hired," Barchi said.

Hermann was informed of the decision of her ouster when she met with Barchi on Sunday afternoon. Hermann’s “oversight over the football program,” was the main reason the university decided to part ways, according to NJ.com.

"Julie came to Rutgers in 2013, at a time when the program was in turmoil, with a vision at where she could take our Athletics Program. I believe, however, at this point, when major changes are being made in our football program, we need a fresh start," Barchi said. "Having reached that conclusion this past week, it would not have been fair to Julie, to Rutgers and our student athletes, or to potential football coaching candidates, for her to continue in her role. She is a capable administrator whose dedication and passion for Rutgers never waned and I wish her and her family all the best in the next step in her journey."

Hermann and Barchi met Sunday afternoon at Barchi’s home in Piscataway. From NJ.com:

The Rutgers athletic department and football program have reportedly been under an internal investigation for “failed drug tests and other issues that could result in NCAA infractions and possible sanctions,” according to NJ.com.

Hermann’s tenure was full of controversy. After her hire, troubles from her tenure as women’s volleyball coach at Tennessee surfaced. Players accused Hermann of abusive tactics and an assistant coach said Hermann discouraged her from getting pregnant.

Additionally, after a Rutgers football player quit the team and accused an assistant of bullying, Hermann said she spoke twice with the player’s parents. The player’s father said those conversations never took place.

Other incidents with Hermann included her telling a Rutgers journalism class that it would be “great” if the Newark Star-Ledger went out of business. She also was accused of making a joke about the Jerry Sandusky child abuse scandal during a staff meeting.

Hermann arrived at Rutgers in May 2013 (amidst the scandal involving men's basketball coach Mike Rice) after spending 16 years in the athletic department at Louisville.

With Hermann out of the picture, Rutgers and Barchi moved quickly to find her replacement: Patrick Hobbs, Dean Emeritus of the Seton Hall University School of Law. Hobbs served as the interim athletic director at Seton Hall from 2009-2011 and was offered the job on Friday -- two days before Hermann was fired.

"In my meetings and conversations with Pat, and also with Board Members Greg Brown and Ken Schmidt, it was clear to all of us that Pat had the attributes required for our next Director of Athletics," said Barchi "We offered Pat the permanent job on Friday and we are proud to welcome him as our new Director of Athletics."

Barchi said the search for a new head football coach will begin "immediately."

For more Rutgers news, visit ScarletNation.com.

- - - - - - -

Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @SamDCooper