Rutgers Rumors Link Brian Kelly to Schiano Job
Speculation grows regarding a potential coaching change at Rutgers as the team navigates a difficult season.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Football
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Should your local university prioritize athletic performance over high contract buyout costs when considering coaching changes?
Rumors are circulating that Brian Kelly could be a potential replacement for head coach Greg Schiano at Rutgers. The coaching uncertainty follows a season in which the team currently holds a 2-4 record.
Why it matters
Greg Schiano is considered to be on the hot seat following the team's poor performance during the current season. A transition would be complicated by the nearly $20 million value of his contract buyout.
Brian Kelly maintains a career coaching record of 297-109-2 and a 34-14 tenure record at LSU. Rutgers recently defeated Maryland with a score of 37-30, marking the team's second win of the season.
The players
Brian Kelly
Brian Kelly is a veteran college football head coach with a career record of 297-109-2 and previous stints at LSU and Notre Dame.
Greg Schiano
Greg Schiano is the current head coach at Rutgers who has led the program for two separate tenures since 2001.
Keli Zinn
Keli Zinn is the athletic director for Rutgers who previously worked with Brian Kelly at LSU.
The details
The potential hiring of Brian Kelly is suggested due to an existing working relationship between him and Rutgers athletic director Keli Zinn from their time together at LSU. Greg Schiano, 60, has served as the head coach of the program since 2001.
Timeline
Greg Schiano took over as head coach at Rutgers in 2001.
Rutgers finished ranked 12th in the AP Poll in 2006.
Rutgers defeated Maryland 37-30 in October 2026.
Season Trajectory
The current coaching rumors underscore the pressure facing the program to reclaim the heights reached during the 2006 season when Rutgers finished ranked 12th in the AP Poll. A potential coaching change would fundamentally alter the team's long-term competitive strategy.
The potential for a coaching change carries a massive $20 million financial implication due to the buyout clause in Schiano's contract. Fans and stakeholders are now focused on whether the team's 2-4 record will lead to further instability or a strategic pivot.
The takeaway
The team must evaluate whether the high cost of a coaching change is justified by potential improvements in their record. Observers remain focused on whether a 5-7 finish for the season will serve as the breaking point for the university's leadership.
Further reading
For more background on the state of the program, read the latest updates on Piscataway Football.
Live Poll
Should your local university prioritize athletic performance over high contract buyout costs when considering coaching changes?
