In his drive towards the end goal for Rutgers football, patience and progress mark the approach of Greg Schiano (2024)

In his drive towards the end goal for Rutgers football, patience and progress mark the approach of Greg Schiano (1)

Kristian Dyer

December 15, 2023 10:27 am ET

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Other than Greg Schiano, there is nothing more New Jersey than the Garden State Parkway. This is why the Rutgers football head coach seems to be peppering his talking points recently with Jersey references, especially when talking about the status of his rebuilding program.

And Schiano, fresh off a 6-6 (3-5 Big Ten) season that shows substantial growth in the program, was rewarded this week with a contract through the 2030 season. It is one that endues Rutgers football with a certain sense of stability as they continue to build up their program.

Born in the state, Schiano used a uniquely New Jersey comparison when talking about his program’s growth. He referred to the infamous Driscoll Bridge which serves as the main conduit from north Jersey to the shore.

His memories of that ride down the shore, sometimes interminably long as an impatient youth, have helped form a reminder for him of the need to count the small gains within his program.

He said that once the Driscoll Bridge was crossed, things changed. The road transitioned at that point and the destination, most often times being a beach location, became very real.

In the same, Schiano believes that his program has crossed its own bridge in terms of the rebuild. Rutgers has transitioned from its original starting point and is now heading towards a place that Schiano believes is its end goal.

Related

Rutgers football: What transfer portal players are set for official visits this weekend?

“I guess the end of the Parkway would be Cape May but that was never where I hung out. So I was more of a Point Pleasant, in that area there,” Schiano said on Thursday.

“But it’s hard. I said it at some point, the thing I always remember as a kid – those mile markers, right? And literally, it was torture because you were counting them down. It seemed like they were going backward at times. But that’s how you know you have to keep track of it somehow, in your own mind.

“Are we moving it forward? You have a won-loss record that certainly does it. But at some points, before the win-loss record really cracks for you, you got to have other indicators and we’ve been able to do that for the most part. There’s been some small backslides and that’s disappointing when that happens, whether it’s in recruiting or retention or the record because then you got to redo the work to get right back to where you were.”

In his fourth season at Rutgers, there is no denying that this program is beginning to look and feel like his first tenure with the Scarlet Knights where Schiano got his team into a bowl game. In a couple of weeks, Rutgers will play Miami in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl, an indication of how Rutgers has grown during his return.

Related

Three official visitors in the 2024 class set to visit Rutgers football (including a new offer from this week)

What was Greg Schiano's NFL draft advice to Max Melton? It is time to leave Rutgers

Schiano didn’t take the easy way to get Rutgers back and viable, but he sees in the program a certain sense of stability. Mile markers are a favorite comparison for Schiano, but so too is the term ‘developmental program.’

His rebuild has come with bumps along the way, but as this week’s contraction extension shows, Rutgers is certainly progressing.

“But I mean, I don’t know if anybody’s ever gone linear like that. I doubt it. So I’m not shocked when that happens. But overall, I’m very encouraged in the direction that we’re going and the attitude, the culture, everything that’s being established here,” Schiano said.

“You know, just look in the National Football League. I did a count the other day – we have 10 guys, since we came back – 10 guys that report to an NFL franchise and call it their job right now. That’s pretty cool. We’re building it. We’re building it. We’ve had what two draft classes to do it? We have 10 guys that go to work every day (in the NFL).

“And then you look at the guys that are out there that are doing things other than football, that’s exciting to me. That’s what college football is supposed to be about. The ones that are the very best get the opportunity to do it professionally. The ones that weren’t had a great experience, they get a great degree from a tremendous university like Rutgers. Then they will get a job and do something that they’re passionate about. So it’s it’s good stuff.”

Related

Mo Toure believes that next year, Rutgers can have 'the best defense in the country'

Scroll down and check out some of the best photos this season of Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano!

PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 3: Head coach Greg Schiano of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights leads his team onto the field before a college football game against the Northwestern Wildcats at SHI Stadium on September 3, 2023 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 3: Head coach Greg Schiano of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights celebrates with his team after a 24-7 victory over the Northwestern Wildcats in a college football game at SHI Stadium on September 3, 2023 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Sep 9, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano celebrates a touchdown by running back Ja’shon Benjamin (20) in front of wide receiver Isaiah Washington (14) during the first half against the Temple Owls at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 9, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights place kicker Jai Patel (44) slaps hands with head coach Greg Schiano after a field goal during the first half against the Temple Owls at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano talks with defensive lineman Keshon Griffin (96) before the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano on the sideline in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach Greg Schiano of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights shouts from the sideline during the second quarter against the Wagner Seahawks at SHI Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Wagner 52-3. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach Greg Schiano of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights claps before a game against the Wagner Seahawks at SHI Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano yells at officiating crew members during an NCAA football game against Penn State Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions, 27-6.

MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 07: Greg Schiano head coach of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights talks with officials during a replay in the fourth quarter of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 07, 2023 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Nov 4, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano walks from the locker room for warm-ups prior to the NCAA football game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Nov 4, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano leads his team onto the field prior to the first half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at SHI Stadium.

Nov 4, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano points to his head as he talks to officials during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at SHI Stadium. Ohio State won 35-16.
Nov 4, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano watches from the sideline during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at SHI Stadium. Ohio State won 35-16.
Nov 18, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano reacts during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Greg Schiano of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights reacts against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at Beaver Stadium on November 18, 2023 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Nov 25, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano talks with defensive lineman Zaire Angoy (55) before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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

In his drive towards the end goal for Rutgers football, patience and progress mark the approach of Greg Schiano (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Rev. Porsche Oberbrunner

Last Updated:

Views: 6647

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rev. Porsche Oberbrunner

Birthday: 1994-06-25

Address: Suite 153 582 Lubowitz Walks, Port Alfredoborough, IN 72879-2838

Phone: +128413562823324

Job: IT Strategist

Hobby: Video gaming, Basketball, Web surfing, Book restoration, Jogging, Shooting, Fishing

Introduction: My name is Rev. Porsche Oberbrunner, I am a zany, graceful, talented, witty, determined, shiny, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.