Tag: Schiano

Piscataway, NJ -- April 27, 2024 -- Coach Greg Schiano and quarterback, Athan Kaliakmanis during Rutgers annual spring football game at SHI Stadium.

Rutgers has high hopes as it prepares to host FCS foe Howard in opener

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Greg Schiano may have his most talented team in years, and between that and a softer schedule than usual, expectations in New Jersey are on the rise.

The veteran Rutgers coach will lead the Scarlet Knights into their season opener Thursday against FCS visitors Howard in Piscataway, N.J.

The Big Ten has expanded to 18 teams, and Rutgers cracked the top half of the league in the preseason media poll, voted ninth. The Scarlet Knights used to share a division with Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State, three nearly guaranteed losses. Now there are no more divisions, and Rutgers won’t face any of those three opponents in 2024.

A program that’s usually solid on defense and special teams may pack some more offensive firepower for a change. Former Minnesota starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (1,838 yards, 14 touchdowns in 2023) transferred to Rutgers to team up with his former offensive coordinator, Kirk Ciarrocca. Kaliakmanis won the starting job in spring practice.

But the biggest threat is Kyle Monangai, who returns to Rutgers after leading the Big Ten in rushing yards (1,262), including three 150-yard games.

Top linebacker Mohamed Toure tore an ACL during the preseason and will miss the campaign. Schiano said Monday that other players enter the week banged up, without divulging specifics.

“There’s an old saying: You don’t rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of your training,” Schiano said. “We’ve got to make sure we’re trained in everything we’re doing and then we’re ready to play. Whoever’s healthy, we’ve got to go out and play.”

Howard finished tied for first in the MEAC in each of the past two seasons, and the Bison were picked second in the conference’s preseason poll.

Rutgers is the Bison’s only FBS opponent this season, but their nonconference schedule also features rival Hampton, Princeton and Tennessee State before they aim for another league title and a return to the Celebration Bowl, viewed as the HBCU national championship game.

“The schedule is certainly challenging,” coach Larry Scott told Howard’s athletics website. “We have some very tough games on the nonconference part of the schedule that will prepare for those five league games. The thing that a schedule like this does is help prepare you for adversity. It puts you in situations where you have to figure things out.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano runs out to the field with his team before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Rutgers extends Greg Schiano’s deal through 2030

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano agreed to a contract extension through the 2030 season on Wednesday.

The Scarlet Knights’ all-time wins leader is 86-95 in two stints with the program (2001-11, 2020-present).

“This is a great day for Rutgers Athletics,” athletic director Pat Hobbs said in a news release. “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.”

Schiano will earn $6.25 million in 2024 under the new contract.

Schiano, 57, has guided Rutgers to eight bowl games, including the Dec. 28 Pinstripe Bowl against Miami (FL).

The Scarlet Knights lost four straight to finish the 2023 regular season at 6-6, including 3-6 in the Big Ten.

“I would like to thank President (Jonathan) Holloway, Athletic Director Pat Hobbs, the Board of Governors and our entire team for their continued belief in what we are building,” said Schiano. “Rutgers is home to my family and me, and we are blessed to have the opportunity to build a championship program right here in New Jersey.”

Schiano left Rutgers after the 2011 season to become head coach of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he was 11-21 during the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

He returned to college football as the defensive coordinator and associate head coach at Ohio State from 2016-18 before returning to Rutgers ahead of the 2020 season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Greg Schiano on the field prior to the game against the Texas Christian Horned Frogs at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Thirty Rutgers players tested positive during outbreak

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano confirmed Friday that 30 of his football players tested positive for COVID-19 during a recent outbreak, with two players still under quarantine.

“They’re all doing well,” Schiano said during a video conference call with reporters, his first public remarks since the team shut down voluntary workouts on July 25.

“We don’t know what we don’t know, but we’ve done everything medically to make sure that they are safe. They all seem to be feeling well. Of those 30, probably half of them were asymptomatic. They never felt anything. They just tested positive. The other half had symptoms. … I’m confident that we’re doing well medically.”

Schiano said all of the players who tested positive are receiving “a full cardiac workup” due to concerns about heart issues in athletes affected by the coronavirus. Several staff members also reportedly tested positive.

Schiano, 54, rejoined the Scarlet Knights on Dec. 1, signing an eight-year, $32 million contract. He had previously coached the school from 2001-11 before serving as head coach of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012-13) and associate head coach and defensive coordinator at Ohio State (2016-18).

The Big Ten announced earlier this week that it was postponing fall sports to spring 2021.

Schiano replaced Chris Ash, who compiled an 8-32 record at Rutgers from 2016-19.

–Field Level Media