22-07-2025
Here's what Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano is saying about the ongoing AD search
LAS VEGAS – As the search for the next Rutgers athletic director drags on with no end sight, Greg Schiano reiterated he's not concerned about the leadership void at the top of the department.
Schiano's continuing to run his football program without interruptions and he's confident the right candidate will eventually be selected.
'I have not spent a lot of time worrying about it,' Schiano said Tuesday morning in a meeting with a small group of local reporters ahead of Big Ten Media Days at Mandalay Bay. 'I have a lot of faith in Amy (Towers), and now President Tate, and the board will choose the right person. Now that President (William) Tate's on board, now President Tate will handle it. I have total faith that they're going to pick the right person for Rutgers.'
Tate, who had been the president at Louisiana State, officially became the university's president July 1 as he replaced Jonathan Holloway. Schiano spoke positively about his interactions with Tate so far.
The leadership in athletics is more uncertain.
It's been nearly a year since Pat Hobbs resigned as director of athletics, and former interim AD Ryan Pisarri is now the athletic director at Tufts. Matt Colagiovanni, the deputy athletic director for facilities, capital projects and internal operations, is now the current interim AD.
Rutgers announced in April that it hired search firm Turnkey ZRG to conduct the search for the new athletic director. NJ Advance Media reported Brian Lafemina, a Rutgers alum with a long career in sports administration, was the leading candidate but he since pulled his name from consideration.
Where Rutgers goes next remains to be seen.
But as Schiano prepares for his sixth season in his second stint leading the Scarlet Knights, his program continues to run without any interruptions.
He's built an infrastructure within the program to navigate the ongoing changing landscape – now including revenue sharing – and that hasn't changed despite the leadership void atop the department.
It's unclear when the new AD will be hired.
Schiano has confidence the right candidate will be identified and chosen.
'I think whenever we make decisions we have to think about what's best for Rutgers and not what's best for everybody else,' Schiano said. 'What might fit at other places might not fit at our place.'
This article originally appeared on Rutgers football: Greg Schiano on the athletic director search
