Greg Schiano returning next season at Rutgers despite 2-7 record this year

Rutgers University has announced that head coach Greg Schiano will return for the 2026 season despite the team's 2-7 record and failure to secure a bowl bid. The Scarlet Knights have lost 12 of their last 15 Big Ten Conference games, ranking 125th in the nation for defense, allowing 32.4 points per game. Athletic director Keli Zinn expressed disappointment but emphasized the need to make changes for the program's long-term success.

Schiano, the winningest coach in Rutgers history with a 101-115 record, is the highest-paid state employee in New Jersey, earning $6.75 million annually. He signed a six-year extension in December 2023, with his $6.25 million base salary in 2024 increasing to approximately $18.9 million if fired without cause. Four of the seven losses this season occurred in blowout games, with final scores ranging from a 16-point defeat against UMass to 16 or more points lost to Indiana, Northwestern, and Wisconsin.

Despite the team's struggles, Zinn is committed to building an athletics department that the university, student-athletes, and fans can be proud of.