Rutgers continues downward trend in this Division I competition with another poor finish

[Tango Two]

Rutgers finished last among Big Ten schools for the fourth consecutive year, landing 22 spots behind the second-worst Big Ten school (Maryland, 71) and 31 spots behind the third-worst school (Purdue, 62).



Rutgers ranked last among Power Four programs, too, finishing two spots below Cincinnati (91st).

https://www.nj.com/rutgers/2026/06/rutgers-continues-downward-trend-in-this-key-competition-with-another-poor-finish.html

 

[RUTGERS95]

need our, 'this ends now' moment

 

[Knight Shift]

Need to stop linking NJ.com garbage here. Let them go out of business. They are no friend of Rutgers. They are the enemy.

 

[Caliknight]

need our, 'this ends now' moment

We have it. Keli.

But you can't make this post, while rigorously defending your statement that all funds need to be directed to football. These are the results when you don't fund other sports to the levels necessary to compete with your peers. Your position dictates that you don't care about our rankings compared to other schools in the Director's Cup. If you do care about it, then you can't then hold the position that all funds to go football.

It's embarrassing that the department was being run like it was.

 

[RUTGERS95]

We have it. Keli.

But you can't make this post, while rigorously defending your statement that all funds need to be directed to football. These are the results when you don't fund other sports to the levels necessary to compete with your peers. Your position dictates that you don't care about our rankings compared to other schools in the Director's Cup. If you do care about it, then you can't then hold the position that all funds to go football.

It's embarrassing that the department was being run like it was.

slow down, my stance has ALWAYS been the same in a litany of threads with my all in ww2 approach

money is important, the most important and I stand by what I said on the other sports. They don't matter until football is fixed so the resources need to go there

Kelli hasn't done simple things she could have. She's not impressing overall where it matters. I get you met her and like her. I get you care about LAX, me is always baseball, but she's peddling water for time when time isn't what we have

if another PE deals comes in, and there are behind scenes talk, we're cooked

 

[mdk02]

Rutgers finished last among Big Ten schools for the fourth consecutive year, landing 22 spots behind the second-worst Big Ten school (Maryland, 71) and 31 spots behind the third-worst school (Purdue, 62).



Rutgers ranked last among Power Four programs, too, finishing two spots below Cincinnati (91st).

https://www.nj.com/rutgers/2026/06/rutgers-continues-downward-trend-in-this-key-competition-with-another-poor-finish.html

48th in '22 because men's lax made the FinalFour.

 

[Fat Koko]

48th in '22 because men's lax made the FinalFour.

Men's lacrosse was a small part of it.

Football, field hockey, women's soccer, men's basketball, men's indoor track & field, men's outdoor track & field, and men's lacrosse all earned Directors' Cup points in 2022 - none of these seven programs earned points this year.

Ridiculously, Hobbs hyped the 2022 season in his resignation letter, ignoring the fact that Rutgers finished 130 in the Directors' Cup in 2023 and 66 in 2024 - last in the Big Ten both seasons.

Keli is on record stating she does a 5-year look back when evaluating coaches. She has a case to fire most of them, with the exception of the gymnastics coach who inherited a terrible situation and immediately produced results. Gymnastic coach deserves a raise.

 

[Caliknight]

slow down, my stance has ALWAYS been the same in a litany of threads with my all in ww2 approach

money is important, the most important and I stand by what I said on the other sports. They don't matter until football is fixed so the resources need to go there

Kelli hasn't done simple things she could have. She's not impressing overall where it matters. I get you met her and like her. I get you care about LAX, me is always baseball, but she's peddling water for time when time isn't what we have

if another PE deals comes in, and there are behind scenes talk, we're cooked

You can't circle the square that the U invests as much in football as all but a few B1G schools. The fans don't donate which is the difference. The school is doing more than their part financially. But you can't be upset that the school is putrid in overall department rankings and not want to invest as much or more than peer schools in those sports. This is the result when you do that. 22 spots behind the second to last place team. It's not rocket science. No idea what you are referring to with your WW2 approach but this isn't war, but we spend a hell of a lot more than a lot of those schools staring down at us on that list. More U money to football wasn't the answer before, it's not the answer now, and it won't be tomorrow.

I've do more than just talk to her. I see action. She's been here barely a year. I am not sure what you expect. The department was a total mess when she got here, worse than anyone realized. She arrived to a dead end football coach with a long contract, basketball and wbasketball a near disaster and a dumpster fire, zero institutionalized NIL programs, along with every athletic program not called football being underfunded. Throw in a runaway financial mess train created by endless money towards football with no checks and balances and to say there are a few things to do would be an understatement. I would enjoy her while we got her. She's going to turn the department around as much as anyone could, and she will take a bigger job. She's not long for here. Too talented.

 

[Anon1754923206]

You can't circle the square that the U invests as much in football as all but a few B1G schools. The fans don't donate which is the difference. The school is doing more than their part financially. But you can't be upset that the school is putrid in overall department rankings and not want to invest as much or more than peer schools in those sports. This is the result when you do that. 22 spots behind the second to last place team. It's not rocket science. No idea what you are referring to with your WW2 approach but this isn't war, but we spend a hell of a lot more than a lot of those schools staring down at us on that list. More U money to football wasn't the answer before, it's not the answer now, and it won't be tomorrow.

I've do more than just talk to her. I see action. She's been here barely a year. I am not sure what you expect. The department was a total mess when she got here, worse than anyone realized. She arrived to a dead end football coach with a long contract, basketball and wbasketball a near disaster and a dumpster fire, zero institutionalized NIL programs, along with every athletic program not called football being underfunded. Throw in a runaway financial mess train created by endless money towards football with no checks and balances and to say there are a few things to do would be an understatement. I would enjoy her while we got her. She's going to turn the department around as much as anyone could, and she will take a bigger job. She's not long for here. Too talented.

Cute fangirling

 

[Knight Shift]

Cute fangirling

Lame name-calling.

See how that works? How about you rebut what he posted point by point? Or are you not capable of doing that?

 

[Caliknight]

Cute fangirling

Which part isn’t true?

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Which part isn’t true?

I mean - it does seem a little preliminary to crown Keli some kind of savior. Being able to “talk the talk” is a good first step but it far from guarantees success.

 

[RUTGERS95]

You can't circle the square that the U invests as much in football as all but a few B1G schools. The fans don't donate which is the difference. The school is doing more than their part financially. But you can't be upset that the school is putrid in overall department rankings and not want to invest as much or more than peer schools in those sports. This is the result when you do that. 22 spots behind the second to last place team. It's not rocket science. No idea what you are referring to with your WW2 approach but this isn't war, but we spend a hell of a lot more than a lot of those schools staring down at us on that list. More U money to football wasn't the answer before, it's not the answer now, and it won't be tomorrow.

I've do more than just talk to her. I see action. She's been here barely a year. I am not sure what you expect. The department was a total mess when she got here, worse than anyone realized. She arrived to a dead end football coach with a long contract, basketball and wbasketball a near disaster and a dumpster fire, zero institutionalized NIL programs, along with every athletic program not called football being underfunded. Throw in a runaway financial mess train created by endless money towards football with no checks and balances and to say there are a few things to do would be an understatement. I would enjoy her while we got her. She's going to turn the department around as much as anyone could, and she will take a bigger job. She's not long for here. Too talented.

lol ok

Keli was totally on board with subjugating Rutgers to the lowest caste in a PE oriented BIG. She's a fking moron if you want me to be honest. I've seen nothing, outside of fundraising (which is awesome) that tells me she is 1. in charge, 2. has any handle on the changing landscape. 3.is looking at this from the right perspective to football. 4. marketing the program (of which we have some accolades and merits) has been zero and should have been immediate change.

again, WE ARE HEAR DUE TO LOCATION BUT WILL BE DIE DUE TO FOOTBALL. We get 1.3 as a league due to football, nothing else really matters in the grand scheme of things

PE is coming back.........

 

[RUTGERS95]

I mean - it does seem a little preliminary to crown Keli some kind of savior. Being able to “talk the talk” is a good first step but it far from guarantees success.

during the bball game when fan yelled for a new coach, she literally just kept turned her head the other way. I think Greg exerts far more power and push than she, or anyone here, wants to admit.

I pray to God she has a master plan but thus far, by ACTION, unimpressed

 

[Fat Koko]

lol ok

Keli was totally on board with subjugating Rutgers to the lowest caste in a PE oriented BIG. She's a fking moron if you want me to be honest. I've seen nothing, outside of fundraising (which is awesome) that tells me she is 1. in charge, 2. has any handle on the changing landscape. 3.is looking at this from the right perspective to football. 4. marketing the program (of which we have some accolades and merits) has been zero and should have been immediate change.

again, WE ARE HEAR DUE TO LOCATION BUT WILL BE DIE DUE TO FOOTBALL. We get 1.3 as a league due to football, nothing else really matters in the grand scheme of things

PE is coming back.........

Could you point to something that shows Keli supported a private equity investment in the Big Ten or Rutgers athletics?

 

[Knight Shift]

Could you point to something that shows Keli supported a private equity investment in the Big Ten or Rutgers athletics?

lol ok

Keli was totally on board with subjugating Rutgers to the lowest caste in a PE oriented BIG. She's a fking moron if you want me to be honest. I've seen nothing, outside of fundraising (which is awesome) that tells me she is 1. in charge, 2. has any handle on the changing landscape. 3.is looking at this from the right perspective to football. 4. marketing the program (of which we have some accolades and merits) has been zero and should have been immediate change.

again, WE ARE HEAR DUE TO LOCATION BUT WILL BE DIE DUE TO FOOTBALL. We get 1.3 as a league due to football, nothing else really matters in the grand scheme of things

PE is coming back.........

Yeah, first I have heard about this, and let's have a source, please, and not rumors.

More than a little harsh and uncalled for on the name calling.

Rome was not burned down in a day, and frankly, it has been a dumpster fire for most of its existing, and it will not be rebuilt in a day. She has not been here for a full year, and inherited two ridiculously overextended contracts on coaches that would have been fired anywhere else.

Have not seen any proof of your opinion on 1, 2, 3 and 4.

 

[RUTGERS95]

Could you point to something that shows Keli supported a private equity investment in the Big Ten or Rutgers athletics?

this was discussed ad naseum on the board. I posted plenty at the time. you are good with research, just a simple Google will bring it up and you'll get all you need. was with the UC system, had issues of long-term transferable rights, future allocations notwithstanding the tiering etc....

it said something was coming and it sucked. the minions jumped on board, kept saying it was bad for us and then the details emerged after USC and Michigan said no.....thankfully

imagine being in a league where we 100mm while others get 180+ nuts

edit..sorry Koko, working and answered quickly and harsh. apologies

 

[Anon1753410373]

need our, 'this ends now' moment

Need our “this ends now” donor

Kelli hasn't done simple things she could have. She's not impressing overall where it matters.

What are you thinking here? What is simple? In my observation for Rutgers nothing is ever simple.

 

[RUTGERS95]

Need our “this ends now” donor


What are you thinking here? What is simple? In my observation for Rutgers nothing is ever simple.

I agree it's not simple

but there are things, institutionally, they could have done from day 1. Her focus was raising money, important and needed but we need a public, top down, full university push to raise football.

I'm telling you all, nothing really is as important to the future of Rutgers as football is for the foreseeable future.

as I said, we need the 'this ends now moment'.

 

[Fat Koko]

this was discussed ad naseum on the board. I posted plenty at the time. you are good with research, just a simple Google will bring it up and you'll get all you need. was with the UC system, had issues of long-term transferable rights, future allocations notwithstanding the tiering etc....

it said something was coming and it sucked. the minions jumped on board, kept saying it was bad for us and then the details emerged after USC and Michigan said no.....thankfully

imagine being in a league where we 100mm while others get 180+ nuts

edit..sorry Koko, working and answered quickly and harsh. apologies

In April, I inquired about the same thing. Where is evidence Keli supported a PE deal? Can't find it on TKR.

 

[RUTGERS95]

In April, I inquired about the same thing. Where is evidence Keli supported a PE deal? Can't find it on TKR.

all schools AD supported except Michigan and USC; well documented

 

[Anon1754923206]

Which part isn’t true?

You fangirling. That part is completely true. It’s adorable. Go with it. ADs are meant to get the job done and not revered but it’s a chick so I get why people are either against her for that or weirdly enamored. As far as I’m concerned if she has the lady balls to fire GS, then I may “fangirl” myself. Until then, she’s a pretty face in a pant suit and is at least not tapping one of her coaches like what’s his name.

 

[Knight Shift]

all schools AD supported except Michigan and USC; well documented

It seems this was a very premature proposal, and nobody committed to the idea.

"The move for a vote, supported and encouraged by many university administrators at 16 Big Ten schools,. . . " (this does not say all)

"In a statement to Yahoo Sports, a Big Ten spokesperson says “no such vote is scheduled” and that the league “continues to work closely with all member universities to explore a partnership to strengthen and modernize our conference. "

"The latest Big Ten proposal has elicited concerns from an array of university board members, even those outside of USC and Michigan, many of whom say that they’ve been only shown limited pieces of the investment plan and were told the decision rests not with board members but solely with university presidents and chancellors."


Is Keli Zinn on record as supporting this? I don't recall seeing that?

Sources: Big Ten execs pressing to make $2.4 billion investment deal — without Michigan and USC if needed

The Big Ten has signaled to those at Michigan and USC that it is moving forward with the deal, even delivering to each program an ultimatum with a deadline.

sports.yahoo.com

The concept was paused:

Big Ten's $2.4 billion private capital plan paused after Michigan, USC opposition

The conference was trying to strike the deal with a California pension fund in exchange for a 10% stake in Big Ten Enterprises.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Caliknight]

You fangirling. That part is completely true. It’s adorable. Go with it. ADs are meant to get the job done and not revered but it’s a chick so I get why people are either against her for that or weirdly enamored. As far as I’m concerned if she has the lady balls to fire GS, then I may “fangirl” myself. Until then, she’s a pretty face in a pant suit and is at least not tapping one of her coaches like what’s his name.

So you have nothing. Got it. Not too late to delete your posts as to not look like a manbun.

 

[Caliknight]

I mean - it does seem a little preliminary to crown Keli some kind of savior. Being able to “talk the talk” is a good first step but it far from guarantees success.

You can always tell the people who have no connections to the higher levels or the department and don't truly know any thing going on.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

You can always tell the people who have no connections to the higher levels or the department and don't truly know any thing going on.

What does this even mean? There’s nothing to “know” yet. At the end of the day, the extent of her medium term success can only be driven by one of two outcomes (or a combination across the two revenue sports):

A) Pike and / or Greg turn things around quickly. If that happens either or both will happily continue to credit her for her part in the fundraising and she looks great.

B) She fires them and the replacement(s) she brings in show significant signs of success / progress within 3 years time.

It doesn’t matter how much inside scoop one has. Even her immediate family does not know that she’ll succeed in accomplishing A or B. Sometimes the best laid plans simply fail. So until she makes a winner out of RU football and/or mens basketball - it’s all still just talk.

 

[Caliknight]

What does this even mean? There’s nothing to “know” yet. At the end of the day, the extent of her medium term success can only be driven by one of two outcomes (or a combination across the two revenue sports):

A) Pike and / or Greg turn things around quickly. If that happens either or both will happily continue to credit her for her part in the fundraising and she looks great.

B) She fires them and the replacement(s) she brings in show significant signs of success / progress within 3 years time.

It doesn’t matter how much inside scoop one has. Even her immediate family does not know that she’ll succeed in accomplishing A or B. Sometimes the best laid plans simply fail. So until she makes a winner out of RU football and/or mens basketball - it’s all still just talk.

Unless you think she and her team haven't been working for the past year, there is a lot to know. Seems like you don't know anyone who would know what they've been doing and need to wait until someone else tells you.

They are working on a lot of interesting things.

 

[Fat Koko]

all schools AD supported except Michigan and USC; well documented

Opposition was broader than Michigan and USC, Ross reported.



Here is the call. You wrote about Keli, "her worst move is ok'ng the PE deal." Please defend this statement.

 

[Knight Shift]

Opposition was broader than Michigan and USC, Ross reported.

View attachment 1348253

Here is the call. You wrote about Keli, "her worst move is ok'ng the PE deal." Please defend this statement.

Did not watch the whole call, but was quite impressed by Jay Paterno's remarks, along with that of the Michigan rep. My takeaway is the proposal is not going to get legs and go anywhere anytime soon. Still looking for where our AD or President or any BOG member said they would sign on to this.

 

[wheezer]

Need to stop linking NJ.com garbage here. Let them go out of business. They are no friend of Rutgers. They are the enemy.

I know a few people who read only that source and believe we are the worst
I had to fire a landscaper years ago because,he kept bringing up every piece of garbage they put out
Could not take,it anymore

 

[Knight Shift]

I know a few people who read only that source and believe we are the worst
I had to fire a landscaper years ago because,he kept bringing up every piece of garbage they put out
Could not take,it anymore

And therein lies a problem why we don't have much fan support outside of Rutgers alum.

Yet Tango Two continually posts garbage from the rag, awarding them with clicks.

 

[RUTGERS95]

It seems this was a very premature proposal, and nobody committed to the idea.

"The move for a vote, supported and encouraged by many university administrators at 16 Big Ten schools,. . . " (this does not say all)

"In a statement to Yahoo Sports, a Big Ten spokesperson says “no such vote is scheduled” and that the league “continues to work closely with all member universities to explore a partnership to strengthen and modernize our conference. "

"The latest Big Ten proposal has elicited concerns from an array of university board members, even those outside of USC and Michigan, many of whom say that they’ve been only shown limited pieces of the investment plan and were told the decision rests not with board members but solely with university presidents and chancellors."


Is Keli Zinn on record as supporting this? I don't recall seeing that?

Sources: Big Ten execs pressing to make $2.4 billion investment deal — without Michigan and USC if needed

The Big Ten has signaled to those at Michigan and USC that it is moving forward with the deal, even delivering to each program an ultimatum with a deadline.

sports.yahoo.com

The concept was paused:

Big Ten's $2.4 billion private capital plan paused after Michigan, USC opposition

The conference was trying to strike the deal with a California pension fund in exchange for a 10% stake in Big Ten Enterprises.

sports.yahoo.com

the ADs supported, Presidents were behind but there were issues with board of governors.

not premature at all, if USC and Mich don't say no, it's an issue


and...........

it's coming back

 

[RUTGERS95]

Did not watch the whole call, but was quite impressed by Jay Paterno's remarks, along with that of the Michigan rep. My takeaway is the proposal is not going to get legs and go anywhere anytime soon. Still looking for where our AD or President or any BOG member said they would sign on to this.

the proposal is already dead, it's been dead for a year fyi

 

[Knight Shift]

the ADs supported, Presidents were behind but there were issues with board of governors.

not premature at all, if USC and Mich don't say no, it's an issue


and...........

it's coming back

Back from the dead?

the proposal is already dead, it's been dead for a year fyi

You said above it's coming back?

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Unless you think she and her team haven't been working for the past year, there is a lot to know. Seems like you don't know anyone who would know what they've been doing and need to wait until someone else tells you.

They are working on a lot of interesting things.

I don’t “think” anything and that’s great.

But again, whatever is in the works is all just “plans” right now. So far we haven’t won anything and even a guarantee of top tier fundraising still wouldn’t guarantee winning, which at the end of the day, is ultimately the metric she will be assessed on. No matter how optimistic you may be about the future, there are still no guarantees of us winning under her leadership or anyone else’s until the wins are recorded in the books.

 

[dconifer0]

Rutgers finished last among Big Ten schools for the fourth consecutive year, landing 22 spots behind the second-worst Big Ten school (Maryland, 71) and 31 spots behind the third-worst school (Purdue, 62).



Rutgers ranked last among Power Four programs, too, finishing two spots below Cincinnati (91st).

https://www.nj.com/rutgers/2026/06/rutgers-continues-downward-trend-in-this-key-competition-with-another-poor-finish.html

Maryland had a historically bad year of athletics across the board. I don't expect a repeat...

 

[RobertG]

I don’t “think” anything and that’s great.

But again, whatever is in the works is all just “plans” right now. So far we haven’t won anything and even a guarantee of top tier fundraising still wouldn’t guarantee winning, which at the end of the day, is ultimately the metric she will be assessed on. No matter how optimistic you may be about the future, there are still no guarantees of us winning under her leadership or anyone else’s until the wins are recorded in the books.

So we won't know it will happen until it happens? Also we won't know it won't happen until it doesn't happen? Then it would be a logical conclusion that we won't know it kinda sorta worked until it kinda sorta worked or doesn't somewhat worked?

 

[RU Jeep]

So we suck at everything but manage to be average at football ? GS is looking better...

 

[Knight Shift]

So we suck at everything but manage to be average at football ? GS is looking better...

This reminds me of one of my favorite albums--Football-the Least Worst of Rutgers Sports:

 

[RUTGERS95]

Back from the dead?

You said above it's coming back?

correct, PE is not dead.

moving on, resources isn't the reason why we suck, it's institutional