I can’t imagine loving any job so much that I’d be willing to take less money and also live in New Jersey to be able to stay at that job. But that’s what Greg Schiano’s doing. Miami came calling, and he said, “Coach at ‘The U’? I already am coaching at ‘The U’, baby. RU, BITCH.” He then pounded his chest, pulled down his windbreaker to show off the portrait of Marco Battaglia he has tattooed on his chest, and shoved Donna Shalala’s face. Or, he did exactly what he’s doing in that video to your right. One of the two.
Either way, the guy’s a stud. I’m not saying that there’s no other coach out there who could have success at Rutgers… but you know, a lot of other coaches tried there, and the success rate isn’t real high. If Schiano left, chances were that Rutgers stay in the land of respectability would be a short one.
I’m glad that won’t be the case. It looks like Schiano is choosing the pride he takes in building a program, pretty much from the ground up, over the money and prestige that the Miami job would bring. That’s a decision to be applauded. And that’s not to say that if he went the other way and took the Miami job, that he should be criticized… I’d never begrudge a coach a chance to make more money and advance his career. It’s just nice to see Schiano willing to see things through at Rutgers.
The Big Picture
schiano is also satisfied with the trim in jersey too. who needs miami beach?
December 6, 2006 at 5:08 am
DB
I’m from Jersey, so I know how badly it sucks. Kudos to Schiano for enduring it, and for giving us a college football team for the first time–seriously, before he came around, Rutgers football might as well have been non-existent.
That being said, this case gave me yet another reason to hate every talking head on ESPN, even Wilbon and Kornheiser: to a man, their reaction to this decision was “Is he insane!?!? Think of the money and prestige at the U!!!”
If you’re going to spend all your time bemoaning the lack of class in sports, don’t deride a guy for choosing his word over the money.
Douchebags.
December 6, 2006 at 11:05 am
Luis
He’s also earned a decade or two of respect from alums and media at Rutgers this year. At Miami, being one BS pass interference call away from two national titles earns you about 24 months of respect. You don’t have to be that insane to choose one over the other.
December 6, 2006 at 3:48 pm
Mark
Think of the lack of control over your team!
Think of the shame that your players will inevitably bring on you!
Think of an alligator eating your baby!
Okay, the last one is a stretch, but what the hell’s so great about Miami anyway?
December 6, 2006 at 8:07 pm
Simon On Sports
Rutgers is never going to fire him he’s got the life there and every year will be able to increase his contract by telling the administration how valubale he is simply by showing them all of the big time schools that are asking to interview him.
Plus living in New Jersey he can watch the Knicks every night, isn’t that enough to stay in Jersey…
December 7, 2006 at 11:48 am
basketball
He may love it now, but wait until (if?) a big-time school comes calling. Then it’ll be so far in his rearview mirror he won’t be able to make it out.
December 8, 2006 at 1:30 am