History of Greg Schiano in Timeline

Gregory Edward Schiano is an American football coach currently serving as the head football coach at Rutgers University, a position he previously held from 2001 to 2011 before returning in 2020. He holds the record for the most wins in program history as the head coach of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team. Schiano also has experience in the National Football League, having coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2012 to 2013. His career reflects a commitment to collegiate and professional football, marked by his leadership at Rutgers and his stint in the NFL.

June 1, 1966: Greg Schiano Born

On June 1, 1966, Gregory Edward Schiano was born. He is now an American football coach and currently the head football coach at Rutgers University.

1976: First Top 25 Ranking Since 1976

After defeating Louisville in 2006, Rutgers jumped to seventh in the national AP Poll, which was their highest ranking in school history and first Top 25 ranking since 1976.

1978: Rutgers Last Bowl Game Appearance

In 1978, Rutgers made their last bowl game appearance at the Garden State Bowl, before Greg Schiano took the head coaching position.

1980: Rutgers Winning Seasons drought

Since 1980, Rutgers had only four winning seasons, highlighting the challenge Greg Schiano faced upon becoming head coach.

1988: Graduation from Bucknell University

In 1988, Greg Schiano graduated from Bucknell University with a B.S. in business administration. He was also a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

1988: Assistant Coach at Ramapo High School

In 1988, Greg Schiano started his coaching career as an assistant coach at Ramapo High School for the Raiders football team.

1989: Graduate Assistant at Rutgers

In 1989, Greg Schiano served as a graduate assistant at Rutgers University, beginning his coaching career at the collegiate level.

1990: Graduate Assistant at Penn State

In 1990, Greg Schiano took the position of graduate assistant at Penn State, continuing his coaching development.

1991: Defensive Backfield Coach at Penn State

In 1991, Greg Schiano became the defensive backfield coach at Penn State, a role he held until 1995.

1995: End of Tenure as Defensive Backfield Coach at Penn State

In 1995, Greg Schiano's tenure as the defensive backfield coach at Penn State concluded, marking the end of his time in that specific role.

1996: Assistant Coach with Chicago Bears

In 1996, Greg Schiano became an assistant coach in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, marking his entry into professional football coaching.

1998: Defensive Backfield Coach for Chicago Bears

In 1998, Greg Schiano was promoted to defensive backfield coach for the Chicago Bears, his final season with the team.

1999: Defensive Coordinator for Miami Hurricanes

In 1999, Greg Schiano became the defensive coordinator for the University of Miami Hurricanes, a position he held until 2000.

December 1, 2000: Acceptance of Head Coaching Position at Rutgers

On December 1, 2000, Greg Schiano accepted the head coaching position at Rutgers University, with the task of revitalizing the struggling program.

2000: Continued role as Defensive Coordinator for Miami Hurricanes

In 2000, Greg Schiano continued as the defensive coordinator for the University of Miami Hurricanes, achieving a 5th rank in points allowed per game.

2005: Greg Schiano on the Hot Seat

Coming into the 2005 season, it was believed that Greg Schiano was on the hot seat and needed to take Rutgers to a bowl game to keep his job.

2005: Turnaround Season at Rutgers

In 2005, Greg Schiano began to turn around the Rutgers program, coaching the team to a 7–4 record and a berth in the Insight Bowl.

2005: New Contract Extension

Just prior to the game, in 2005, Schiano was offered a new contract, extending his contract through the 2012 season.

December 4, 2006: Schiano rejects Miami coaching job

On December 4, 2006, Greg Schiano declined consideration for the head coaching position at the University of Miami, reaffirming his commitment to Rutgers. He expressed satisfaction with his role at Rutgers and optimism about the team's future.

2006: National Coach of the Year Awards

In 2006, Greg Schiano received most of the major national Coach of the Year awards after turning the Rutgers Scarlet Knights into a winning program.

2006: Coach of the Year Honors

In 2006, Greg Schiano was awarded several Coach of the Year honors, including the Home Depot Coach of the Year award and the inaugural Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award.

2006: Successful Season and Bowl Game Win

In 2006, Greg Schiano's Rutgers team achieved an 11–2 record and won their first-ever bowl game, defeating Kansas State in the Texas Bowl.

February 16, 2007: Schiano signs contract extension with Rutgers

On February 16, 2007, Greg Schiano signed a contract extension with Rutgers, increasing his annual salary to $1.5 million and extending his tenure until 2016.

December 2007: Schiano speaks with Michigan, then withdraws name

In December 2007, Greg Schiano discussed the head coaching vacancy at the University of Michigan but subsequently withdrew his name from consideration, choosing to remain at Rutgers.

2008: Rutgers achieves fourth straight bowl bid

In 2008, Greg Schiano's Rutgers team overcame a poor start to finish with an 8-5 record and secure their fourth consecutive bowl bid.

2010: Schiano linked to Miami coaching position again

In 2010, Greg Schiano's name was once again mentioned in connection with the head coaching position at the University of Miami following the firing of Randy Shannon.

2010: Eric LeGrand's Injury

In 2010, Greg Schiano's team experienced tragedy when defensive tackle Eric LeGrand suffered a spinal cord injury, impacting the team's performance.

2011: Final Game as Rutgers Coach

In 2011, Greg Schiano coached Rutgers to a 9–4 record and a Pinstripe Bowl victory over Iowa State, marking his final game as Rutgers coach.

2011: Schiano becomes highest-paid public employee in New Jersey

In 2011, Greg Schiano's $2.3 million salary and compensation made him the highest-paid public employee in New Jersey and the highest-paid coach in the Big East.

2011: Schiano proposes eliminating kickoffs in football

In 2011, after Eric LeGrand's paralysis, Greg Schiano proposed eliminating kickoffs from football, replacing them with a punt or a 4th down and 15 situation. This was intended to reduce player injuries.

January 26, 2012: Acceptance of Head Coaching Position with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On January 26, 2012, Greg Schiano accepted his first head coaching opportunity at the professional level, with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2012: Contract End Date

In 2012, Greg Schiano had his contract extended to this year in 2005, solidifying his position.

December 30, 2013: Firing from Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On December 30, 2013, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired Greg Schiano, along with the general manager Mark Dominik.

2014: Rutgers Bowl Game drought

In 2014, Rutgers last won a bowl game before Greg Schiano led Rutgers back to victory in 2023.

2016: Hired by Ohio State

In 2016, Greg Schiano was hired by Urban Meyer to serve as defensive coordinator/associate head coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes football program.

2016: Contract end date

In 2016, Schiano's contract with Rutgers was set to expire.

2016: Penn State Scandal Documents Released

In 2016, court documents related to the Penn State scandal were released, including testimony implicating Greg Schiano having knowledge of Jerry Sandusky's abuse. Schiano denied this.

July 16, 2017: Death of Father-in-Law

On July 16, 2017, Greg Schiano's father-in-law, Tom Mitchell, a former Colts tight end, died of cancer at 72.

November 26, 2017: Reported Hiring by Tennessee Volunteers

On November 26, 2017, it was reported that Greg Schiano was going to be the next head coach for the Tennessee Volunteers, but the deal fell through.

February 7, 2018: Turning down Patriots Job

On February 7, 2018, Greg Schiano decided to turn down the New England Patriots job and stay with the Buckeyes.

2018: Helping Ryan Day

In 2018, Greg Schiano helped then interim head coach Ryan Day during head coach Urban Meyer's suspension.

2018: Named Recruiter of the Year

In 2018, Greg Schiano was named 247Sports Recruiter of the Year in the Big Ten after helping the Buckeyes land the nation's second-ranked recruiting class.

February 2019: Departure from Ohio State

In February 2019, it was announced that Greg Schiano would not be returning to Ohio State.

December 1, 2019: Rejoining Rutgers as Head Coach

On December 1, 2019, Greg Schiano rejoined Rutgers as the head coach after several weeks of negotiations.

2020: Schiano's kickoff proposal remains unconsidered by NFL/NCAA

As of 2020, Greg Schiano's 2011 proposal to eliminate kickoffs in football has not been seriously considered by either the NFL or NCAA, despite support from figures like Jon Bois.