Greg Schiano opens up on Rutgers bowl eligibility, program turnaround since return

Greg Schiano and Rutgers will play in the postseason for the first time since 2021, but got there the traditional route for the first time since 2014.

At 6-2, and receiving votes in the AP Poll, this is a different program since right before Schiano returned to Piscataway. With No. 1 Ohio State coming to town, Schiano already detailed the challenges of playing a team like that, especially with players like Marvin Harrison Jr.

The long-time head coach is not one to look too far ahead, but he’s proud of what he’s rebuilt since 2020 and he’s not stopping anytime soon.

“The similarity is we are building a program,” Schiano said. “I keep talking about the pipeline and just like then, the pipeline wasn’t full yet. We’re getting closer. I think this (2024) class, once we get them here, will fill the pipeline. So then when you ask me questions about depth, we’ll have more experienced depth and when you ask me about our front line players, they will have cumulative representations. We have that in some areas, but not all yet. That’s part of building a program the way we do it.”

Schiano made sure to remind the folks that Rutgers is all about development. The instant impact recruits don’t happen regularly like other traditional football powers.

But with the hard work he employs, Schiano makes sure it pays off.

“We don’t get ready-mades like the team we are playing this week,” Schiano said, comparing Rutgers to Saturday’s opponent Ohio State. “They get some guys that come in that are five-star guys. We don’t get a lot of those but that’s okay. We know who we are.

“That’s the key to being us at Rutgers is we develop guys, they believe in what we’re doing, they believe in the development, and we’re getting close to having the pipeline full and that’s where things get fun when that pipeline gets full. So we are getting close.”

Rutgers had a bye week following becoming bowl eligible at Indiana. Two weeks to prepare for the now-No. 1 team in the country has its benefits. Still, it’s a tough hill to climb.

“I thought our guys did an excellent job in the bye week,” Schiano said. “We are dead in the middle to the back half of the semester. Academically, Rutgers is such a challenging school academically, I think our guys made the most of it that way as well, not only in our preparation as a football game program but academically meeting those challenges.

“Jeff Jones, who is director of player development, he and his staff do such a great job of motivating and inspiring our guys to do what they are capable of academically. So that was a huge, huge thing, too, during the off-week. I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on that. I think our guys are busting their hump academically, as well as building something special here athletically.”