Greg Schiano speaks at Big Ten Media Day (2024)

Rutgers football is heading into the 2024 season on an upward trajectory coming off of its first winning season since 2014, where the Scarlet Knights finished with a 7-6 record and a Pinstripe Bowl win over Miami.

The Scarlet Knights have the benefit of continuity this season, as most of last year's starters with the option to leave chose to return to the program in 2024.

During his press conference at Big Ten Media Day in Indianapolis this morning, Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano told reporters why he feels this year's team is a culmination of the Scarlet Knights' player development since his return in 2019.

"We've been filling the pipeline since we've got there with quality young men [and] quality football players, and I believe now the pipeline is close to being full - although some of it is young still, we have an experienced group at the end of the pipeline," Schiano said. "We're going to have a lot of NFL players that come out of this season, and to me anytime we've had great teams come out of Rutgers, they've been made of NFL players."

One of those returnees is running back Kyle Monangai, who enters his fifth season at Rutgers as the reigning Big Ten rushing leader with 242 carries for 1,262 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023.

"What Kyle does best is he has an incredible patience to view, to watch, to wait - but when he makes the decision to go, he's a violent runner," Schiano said. "He's violent in the way he plays, he's violent with his feet and his legs, he doesn't stop."

Schiano believes Monangai's running style represents the Scarlet Knights' identity.

"The one thing that I love is to watch him run. I'd say 98 percent of the time he's falling forward - he's falling in the right direction. That's a little bit of what our identity of our football team is," Schiano said. "We're going to get knocked down, but let's make sure we're falling in the right direction and we get up quickly and get back at it."

Rutgers also returns most of its starters from a defense that had the No. 16-ranked total defense in FBS last season. Schiano highlighted the defense's returning experience, which includes starters such as cornerback Robert Longerbeam, linebackers Tyreem Powell and Mohamed Toure and edge rusher Aaron Lewis.

"I love our defense - these guys have been in the program now for four or five years," Schiano said. "We're a developmental program - and I know people say that, that's what we are. We take guys and we work really hard over a period of time and they get to be really good players."

Schiano also highlighted the continuity in Rutgers' coaching staff, as defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak enters his third season while offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca enters his second year with the program.
"Coach Joe Harasymiak, who is our defensive coordinator, has done a phenomenal job since he arrived. I think we have a great chemistry with the coaches and players - not only on the defensive side of the ball, but coach Ciarroccca and the offensive side of the ball as well," Schiano said. "I as a head coach have not ever been in a position where I feel this comfortable where our two coordinators lead those units. It allows me to do my job as the head coach."

For the first time, Rutgers will play in a new-look Big Ten conference following the addition of four former Pac-12 schools in Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington.

Schiano believes Rutgers is in a position to make an impact as the conference enters a new era.

"I don't try to hide from who we are or what we are. We've been playing football longer than anybody else on the planet, yet we haven't been playing at this level very long," Schiano said. "You go back to the mid-80s, where we really made the jump to major college football. [We're] relatively young, but it's time. It's time to get going, it's time to make a mark."

With the milestone of a winning season and a bowl victory having been accomplished last season, Schiano has his sights set on the next step.

"I didn't come out of retirement to go to a bowl game. I came out of retirement to win a championship at Rutgers," Schiano said. "Hopefully we'll do that."

Greg Schiano speaks at Big Ten Media Day (2024)

FAQs

Greg Schiano speaks at Big Ten Media Day? ›

GREG SCHIANO: It's great to be here again. I feel blessed to be a member of the Big Ten Conference. At Rutgers

Rutgers
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team represents Rutgers University in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). Rutgers competes as a member of the Big Ten Conference.
https://en.wikipedia.org › Rutgers_Scarlet_Knights_football
, that's something that early on in my tenure, the first time, going back to 2002, I can remember sitting in the room after my radio show with Tim Pernetti and saying, You know what?

How long has Greg Schiano been at Rutgers? ›

Greg Schiano
Current position
2001–2011Rutgers
2012–2013Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2016–2018Ohio State (AHC/DC)
2020–presentRutgers
29 more rows

Who is the head coach at Rutgers? ›

The all-time wins leader in Rutgers football history, Greg Schiano is in his fifth season back and 16th overall as the head football coach “On the Banks.” The Wyckoff, New Jersey, native previously led the Scarlet Knights to new heights from 2001-11 before returning to the sidelines in 2020.

What conference was Rutgers in before the Big Ten? ›

Rutgers competes as a member of the Big Ten Conference. Prior to joining the Big Ten, the Scarlet Knights were a member of the American Athletic Conference (formerly the Big East Conference) from 1991 to 2013.

What is Greg Schiano's salary at Rutgers? ›

Greg Schiano's Salary and Contract in 2024. After signing a contract extension in the wake of a bowl-winning campaign, Schiano's salary as the Rutgers head coach in 2024 will be $6.25 million. His salary boost is the latest move in a long contractual history with the Piscataway-based program.

Why did Greg Schiano leave Rutgers? ›

“The National Football League was something I was not prepared for,” Schiano admitted. “I never prepared to be a head coach in the NFL. It came to me and I took it because I was afraid to be (at Rutgers).”

How much does Rutgers coach get paid? ›

Rutgers football salaries are soaring. But will it result in wins?
RUTGERS FOOTBALL COACHES SALARIES:
Greg SchianoHead coach$6.25 million
Kirk CiarroccaOffensive coordinator$1.4 million
Joe HarasymiakDefensive coordinator$1.25 million
Dave BrockWide receivers$550,000
8 more rows
Apr 7, 2024

Why was Rutgers coach fired? ›

On Wednesday morning, Rutgers fired Mr. Rice, a day after video surfaced of him berating players during practice, throwing basketballs at them, kicking them and taunting them with vulgar language, including homophobic slurs. The firing came four months after Rutgers learned of the abuse allegation and punished Mr.

Did Greg Schiano agree to a contract extension with Rutgers? ›

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano, the school's all-time coaching wins leader in his second stint with the team, has received a contract extension through the 2030 season. Schiano, 57, is finishing the fourth year of his second term at Rutgers after leading the program to prominence from 2001 to 2011.

How much do Rutgers coaches get paid? ›

$6.25 million

How long has Rutgers been the Scarlet Knights? ›

In the early 1950's, in the hope of spurring both the all-around good athletic promise and RU fighting spirit, a campus-wide selection process changed the mascot to that of a Knight. By 1955 , the Scarlet Knight had become the new Rutgers mascot.

How long has Rick Pitino been at Iona? ›

Rick Pitino
St. John's Red Storm
2019–2021Greece
2020–2023Iona
2023–presentSt. John's
Career highlights and awards
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