Rutgers announced Tuesday that coach Greg Schiano will return for the 2027 season, his 19th overall across two stints, despite a 2-7 record and back-to-back losing seasons. Athletic director Keli Zinn called the results "not acceptable" but cited a detailed offseason plan to strengthen the roster as the primary factor for retention.
Schiano, the program's winningest coach at 101-115 over 18 years, posted consecutive 7-6 seasons in 2023-24 during his second stint. His contract runs through 2029 with an $18.6 million buyout; dismissing the full staff would cost nearly $28 million. Zinn emphasized the decision serves the "best long-term interests of Rutgers" and isn't a lowering of standards.
The timing aims to reassure recruits and transfer portal targets. Rutgers ranks No. 125 nationally in scoring defense this year after finishing No. 115 last season. A full defensive staff in place earlier — unlike last year's Feb. 11 coordinator hire — could improve portal recruiting. Schiano's reputation for program building and academic success (team 3.4 GPA, high graduation rates) also factored in.
Zinn praised Schiano's holistic approach: "Look at the academics... infrastructure... nutrition and sports performance... We've shown we can train and develop guys to get to the next level. They have everything we need here to be successful."
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing