Greg Schiano Reportedly Returning to Rutgers for 2027 CFB Season Despite 2-7 Record

Despite its 2-7 record this season, Rutgers reportedly won't be making the change many had anticipated when the year is over.

ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano will return for the 2027 season, which will mark his 19th year with the program over two stints.

Thamel added that Schiano recently met with Rutgers athletic director Keli Zinn "to lay out a plan for improvement next year." He's under contract through the 2029 season, and he would've been owed $18.6 million if he had been fired.

Still, Schiano's return is a bit of a surprise after comments from Zinn recently surfaced, indicating that he was on the hot seat.

"If we are investing in your roster, in facilities, in operations, in salaries at ninth in the league, you should perform at ninth in the league. And if you're above that -- fantastic, that's awesome. Keep going, how do we get in an even better spot? But if all of those things put you ninth in the league and you're performing 14th, there's a problem there," Zinn told sports marketing firm Navigate, referencing the Scarlet Knights tying for 14th in the Big Ten last season. "Something is not working, and you've got to be able to get close to that point, show a trajectory to there or unfortunately that's probably not going to end well."

Since returning to Rutgers in 2020, Schiano has achieved just two winning seasons, going 7-6 in 2023 and 2024. The Scarlet Knights lost two of their three bowl game appearances over that span, and they likely won't be selected for a bowl game for the second straight year after securing back-to-back losing seasons.

After saving his job, Schiano will focus on trying to help Rutgers end its three-game skid on Saturday against Nebraska (5-4).