Rutgers retains Greg Schiano amid mounting financial and competitive concerns in the Big Ten
Rutgers announced that head coach Greg Schiano will return for the 2027 season despite the program sitting at 2-7 and facing a second consecutive bowl-less year, with a 3-12 record in Big Ten play over the past two seasons. Athletics director Keli Zinn acknowledged the results were unacceptable but framed the decision as being in the program's long-term best interest, with a reported buyout of just over $17 million cited as a significant factor. The athletic department reportedly carried a $78 million deficit in the 2024-25 season, making a full coaching overhaul financially untenable according to the report. The piece also raises broader questions about Rutgers' long-term standing in the Big Ten, noting that the school's original value to the conference — expanding cable TV reach into the New York/New Jersey market — may carry little weight when the league's current media rights deal eventually expires.
Rutgers enjoys being a Big Ten school, it just can't afford to live in the neighborhood anymore.
Why it matters
For brands: Sponsors and partners tied to Big Ten programs may want to monitor whether Rutgers' competitive struggles affect the conference's overall playoff profile and visibility.
For coaches: Schiano's retention signals that financial constraints, not performance alone, are driving program decisions at Rutgers.
For media: The report raises questions about Rutgers' value to future Big Ten media rights negotiations as the cable-box rationale for its membership fades.
Read the full story at CBS Sports
Sources
- CBS Sports · Tom Fornelli: Greg Schiano is staying, but Rutgers' bigger problem is the cost of keeping up in the Big Ten
- Yahoo Sports college football: Rutgers Makes $18.5 Million Greg Schiano Decision: Report