All of the actual factual specifics of this particular case are not all laid out for the public (and some - like all of the personal details of Randall's Learning Disabilities can not & should not)
However, if the following specific pieces (below) from Randall's side
(caveat- it is from Randall's side) are at all accurate - it is no wonder that there was a settlement - Note that the full document contains a whole bunch of stuff that could be argued either way - (and some of the portrayal of the source of the video - Murdock - stretches credibility) - but most all of the following pertains to Randall's Learning Disabilities & agreed accommodations & is going to be pretty cut & dried - and if it would be foolish to fabricate these essential & easily verified points.
You can have general opinions about people who 'game the system' (my impression has always been that the biggest con-artist of all was/is Murdock) and it seems that there are a few players who have been inclined to simply harvest some cash out of the whole stupid Rice situation.
But this Randall case has been framed out as being unique - and individual - and as such - in this specific aspect of the whole Rice debacle,
Rutgers probably has to consider it fortunate to have closed it out for only $300K .
Consider -
(1.) During the recruitment of Randall, Rice & Rutgers were clearly made aware of Randall's long-standing & documented LD (learning disabilities) - so this was not just "Oh Derrick sometimes needs some help" - Randal had an actual "IEP" ( Individualized Education Program - a significant official document that incorporates the evaluation of teachers, guidance counselors, and the school psychologist & identifies the details of the learning disability & the prescribed plan of action & targeted goals). ... and
Rice was provided the IEP
(2.) as a part of Randall's recruitment, Rice (acting on behalf of Rutgers) responded to the discussion of Randall's LD issues & specifically promised resources (in particular, a psychologist) and accommodations
If, if, if this is at least remotely accurate (and that is key) - you gotta be stunned - sure coaches can, and should be, tough, stern, 'I never promised you a rose garden' - task masters often relentless... and sometimes they may successfully take a certain challenging player & decide to severely 'push their buttons' - and it spurs the player on ... and the coach is seen as a motivational genius -
but - - when a coach is
fully informed of particular learning /psychological needs of a specific athlete - and
promises to meet those needs - and then you get this? ... it is baffling ...
what on earth would be Rice's explanation? "Oh, I decided on my own that the IEP & the documented LD diagnosis was all BS- new-age psycho mumbo-jumbo... and so I opted to ignore it - and the agreed upon services & accommodations that were promised - and I chose to try rattling Randall's cage with mind games, yelling and throwing basketballs at his head to motivate him."
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here's the source document & the specific section related to Randall's LD issues -
https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/889173/derrick-randall-lawsuit.txt
Derrick was diagnosed with learning disabilities at an early age. His diagnosis has
resulted in special accommodations being made to address Derrick's disabilities. As a result of
his disabilities, Derrick experienced the lack of confidence and self-esteem that are attendant thereto.
When Derrick was recruited by Rutgers, the University was made aware of Derrick's disabilities and related issues and specifically agreed to make special accommodations
to address Derrick's needs.
Derrick's father, Brian Randall, provided Rutgers with Derrick's Individualized Education Program which describes the special education and related services specifically
designed to meet Derrick's unique requirements.
Brian Randall met with Coach Rice when Derrick first arrived at Rutgers and informed Coach Rice that Derrick needed someone to talk to and to help him out.
Coach Rice represented to Brian Randall that Rutgers would provide Derrick with the resources he needed,
including a psychologist, and assured him in particular that the University would look out for Derrick's psyche.
Derrick thus enthusiastically enrolled at Rutgers as a highly promising athlete with recognized prospects for a successful college career and a professional career thereafter, but
also as a student-athlete with special educational and related needs that Rutgers had agreed to make special accommodations to address.
