FILE PHOTO: John Engler, Interim President of Michigan State University, testifies before a Commerce Subcommittee hearing entitled “Strengthening and Empowering U.S. Amateur Athletes: Moving Forward with Solutions” on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., July 24, 2018. REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein/File Photo
(Reuters) – Michigan State University’s interim president John Engler will resign, following renewed criticism of how he handled fallout surrounding the sex abuse scandal involving sports doctor Larry Nassar, the Detroit Free Press reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed officials.
Nassar, who was a team doctor for USA Gymnastics, was sentenced to up to 300 years in prison in two different trials last winter after more than 350 women testified about abuse at his hands. He also worked at Michigan State University.
The university’s board of trustees had been expected to discuss whether to fire Engler at a meeting on Thursday, the Detroit News reported.
The board’s president, Dianne Byrum, called Thursday’s meeting after Engler told the Detroit News on Friday that some of Nassar’s victims were “enjoying” being in the spotlight.
Engler said Nassar’s victims “who’ve been in the spotlight … are still enjoying that moment at times, you know, the awards and recognition,” The News reported.
Engler became interim president last January when the former president resigned over the Nassar scandal. He oversaw the school’s $500 million settlement with more than 330 of Nassar’s victims in May.
Engler did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
Reporting by Gabriella Borter; Editing by David Gregorio and Susan Thomas