Report: Rutgers to name Stony Brook’s Steve Pikiell as head coach

Stony Brook head coach Steve Pikiell will become the next head coach of Rutgers.

Stony Brook made the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history. Rutgers had one of their worst seasons in school history, finishing last in the Big Ten with a 7-25 record overall and winning just one conference game. Rutgers didn’t venture too far to get their next head coach.

According to NJ.com’s Steve Politi, Rutgers will name Steve Pikiell their next head coach.

Rutgers tried to get Dan Hurley of URI along with Mike Lonergan of George Washington to come aboard instead but both withdrew from consideration according to Bill Koch of the Providence Journal.

ESPN’s Jay Williams withdrew his name as well according to Adam Zagoria of SNY.

Pikiell led the Seawolves to the America East regular season title with a 24-6 record along with the school’s first NCAA Tournament appearance.

Rutgers has not made the NCAA tournament since 1991.

This hiring makes a lot of sense for Rutgers, as Pikiell helped bring a tai-state area program to the NCAA tournament, something that isn’t easy if you’re not a major program. Pikiell has a tough road ahead of him in trying to bring up a team from the bottom of the Big Ten.

He’s also a Jim Calhoun disciple, which might make fans feel better if they haven’t heard much about Pikiell before this announcement was made. If Pikiell can keep the high school talent in the area at Rutgers, he should be able to bring the team back. There’s a lot that needs to happen to make Rutgers a powerhouse program, but Pikiell might have what it takes to make it happen.