The Rutgers Scarlet Knights announced that they are keeping head coach Greg Schiano in charge until 2030 under the terms of their new contract.
When Schiano was originally re-hired, his salary was the lowest out of all the head coaches in the Big Ten. His salary went from $4 million to $6.25 million, and now Schiano finds himself in the middle of the pack in terms of Big Ten head coach salaries.
Prior to the extension, Schiano had four years left on the eight year contract he originally signed. In the university’s announcement directly from their website, Athletic Director Pat Hobbs discussed his reasoning for the extension.
“This is a great day for Rutgers Athletics,” said Hobbs. “In four years, Coach Schiano has transformed our program, this year resulting in bowl eligibility. Continuity is critical in building winning programs. We have the right leader and the right staff to lead the Scarlet Knights in the years ahead.”
Rutgers Scarlet Knights’ head coach Greg Schiano is the program’s winningest head coach of all time
Schiano is in his second stint with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights as he originally became the head coach in 2001. After 11 years and a 5-1 bowl record, Schiano departed for a chance to coach in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Schiano went 11-21 with Tampa Bay, and was fired deep into the 2013 season.
The Rutgers were a part of the Big East conference for the entirety of Schiano’s first stint, and his best finish was in 2012 when they were ranked No. 12 in the AP poll after an 11-2 record and a win in the Texas Bowl. Schiano posted six winning seasons during his first stint, but has yet to accomplish the feat in the four years that he has been back at Rutgers.
Schiano was re-hired in 2020, and has the chance to post Rutgers first winning season since joining the Big Ten. They will have to defeat the Miami Hurricanes in the Pinstripe Bowl to accomplish the feat, as the Scarlet Knights are currently sitting at 6-6.
Despite not officially posting a winning record in his second go around, Schiano’s extension likely comes as a result of solid recruiting and a much-improved defense. Rutgers ranks 19th in total defense and 11th in passing defense.
If Schiano can find more consistent play at the quarterback position, potentially from visiting Minnesota Golden Gophers transfer quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers can be a real force in the Big Ten. They are already returning the conference’s leading rusher in Kyle Monangai.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights fans react to the extension of head coach Greg Schiano
Greg Schiano is a fan favorite at Rutgers due to the fact that he has been responsible for the only national prominence they have had since the turn of the century. The culture he built so far is responsible for potential NFL-caliber talent like Monangai sticking around instead of going to the NFL Draft.
Scarlet Knight fans seem to be pleased with the extension, which has made him a coach with a salary higher than Steve Sarkisian, who is currently leading a Texas Longhorns team that is in the College Football Playoffs.
I have no doubt Rutgers will be the last place Coach Schiano ever coaches and have the utmost confidence Rutgers football will be national champions under @GregSchiano !!! 😤❤️🪓
— New Jersey Sports (@NJSports_) December 13, 2023
Death, taxes, and Greg Schiano will never leave RHUTGAS again. #CHOP 🪓 https://t.co/xbQRONA9Be
— Pierre Delecto (@Hmmmmmmmmmmm096) December 13, 2023
MY COACH @GregSchiano https://t.co/wC5JHPprhT pic.twitter.com/erjno2J3iA
— TJ #CHOP 🪓 (@TJHitchings) December 13, 2023
Greg Schiano and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will take on the Miami Hurricanes in the Pinstripe Bowl in Yankee Stadium on Dec. 28.
Get More College Football Content
For more news and trends in the college football world, click here or follow me on Twitter @KusleikaAndrew.