Outgoing Rutgers University Athletic Director Robert Mulcahy received a loud ovation from fans at the women's basketball game Thursday after his controversial firing Wednesday.

After a decade leading the athletic program at Rutgers and reaching new heights in various sports, Mulcahy says he was fired after declining to resign at the request of university President Richard McCormick.

"I was totally blindsided. I have no idea why it happened," Mulcahy told News 12 New Jersey.

Mulcahy said no one at Rutgers University ever told him he was doing anything wrong.

"[McCormick] wanted to go in a different direction, I have no other explanation for it," Mulcahy said.

Mulcahy's firing comes less than a month after an independent committee appointed to review the university's athletic program criticized Mulcahy, McCormick and other officials for failing to exercise proper oversight.

Extended comments with Mulcahy