Thanks to my main man Dave Hyde for continuing to point out little tidbits that others let slide.
In a recent Sun Sentinel piece, he had a blurb about the much discussed contract status:
“Before Miami offered Shannon the job, it offered $2.2 million a year to Rutgers’ Greg Schiano. He declined, obviously waiting on Penn State to open.”
So… $2.2M was fair market value for a guy who pulled an 11-2 Cinderella season out of his arse in 2006, yet hasn’t sniffed a Big East title and strung together seasons of 8-5, 8-5 and 9-4 since.
>>> Regarding 2009, Rutgers’ nine wins came against Howard, FIU, Maryland, Texas Southern, Army, Connecticut, South Florida, Louisville and UCF. The Bulls were the highest-ranked team the Knights beat, at #24 in mid-November.
>>> In 2008, only one ranked foe on the schedule, #17 Pittsburgh, which Rutgers beat. The other seven wins came against Morgan State, Connecticut, Syracuse, South Florida, Army, Louisville and NC State.
>>> 8-5 in 2007 came with wins against Buffalo, Navy, Norfolk State, Syracuse, South Florida, Army, Pittsburgh and Ball State.
>>> An upset of No. 3 Louisville made Schiano’s name in 2006, en route to 11-2. The other ten wins were against North Carolina, Illinois, Ohio, Howard, South Florida, Navy, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Syracuse and Kansas State.
Schiano deserves credit for turning Rutgers into a decent Big East team after years of being a perennial doormat. Kudos to him for the impressive turnaround… but $2.2M to take the reigns at The U after one good season? An absolute joke.
Schiano posted a 25-14 record the past three years, again inferior talent (compared to what Miami faced) while Shannon put together a 21-17 run over the same time, against better competition.
One last time, for whoever is listening, agree to terms and pay the man his money.