The coach who turned a struggling program into a national 'Cinderella'

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Greg Schiano took over a Rutgers football program that hadn't seen a bowl game since 1978. Through a mix of high-stakes recruiting and a signature motivational mantra, he transformed the Scarlet Knights into a national powerhouse, even navigating a tragic injury that tested the team's resolve.

Schiano accepted the head coaching position at Rutgers on December 1, 2000. At the time, the program was in a deep slump, having recorded only four winning seasons since 1980. His initial tenure was difficult, with the team struggling to find its footing for the first four years. However, the 2005 season served as a turning point. By recruiting New York native Ray Rice and securing a 37–29 upset over Pittsburgh, Schiano laid the foundation for a program rebirth, eventually leading the team to a 7–4 record and an Insight Bowl berth.

The 2006 season remains the pinnacle of Schiano's tenure at Rutgers. The team achieved a 9–0 start, highlighted by a victory over the third-ranked Louisville Cardinals. This propelled Rutgers to its highest-ever ranking in the national AP Poll at number seven. The season concluded with an 11–2 record and a victory over Kansas State in the inaugural Texas Bowl, where Schiano's "keep choppin'" mantra became a staple of college football. He received various accolades during this period, such as the Home Depot Coach of the Year prize.

Schiano's leadership was also defined by his response to tragedy. In 2010, defensive tackle Eric LeGrand suffered a severe spinal cord injury. Schiano was credited with treating LeGrand's family like his own, remaining with the player in the hospital every day. While the injury initially sent the team into a six-game losing streak, Schiano's involvement in LeGrand's recovery—which eventually saw the player regain movement in his arms and shoulders—became a defining narrative of his coaching career.

After leaving Rutgers in 2011, Schiano's career took him to the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012–2013) and later to Ohio State as defensive coordinator. At Ohio State, he became a premier recruiter, helping land several five-star prospects. His tenure there was marked by high production, with eleven defensive players drafted to the NFL, including five first-round picks, as he was praised by peers for his technical development of elite talent.

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