Pikiell Gets Supportive Nod from Keli Zinn

Knight Shift · Jan 31, 2026

IDGAS about what you think about Carino and the last article he wrote.

It's a quote by the boss.

"You take a look at everybody from a historical perspective, and (I) was able to see the progress that Coach Pikiell and his crew had, particularly for a couple of years there, and then the world of NIL comes along and was a little bit of a disruption or him,” Zinn said. “We’re going to put him in a spot where we’re more on the same page with folks around the country who are his competitors.”

"Biggest thing that has probably happened over the past six months surrounds the progress we’ve made, which has been the main focal point, of investment in our rosters,” she said. “You won’t see that immediately, but you’re going to see it show up in 2026-27 and more specifically in 2027-28. Thrilled with the amount of support, particularly on the corporate side of things.”

Rutgers AD pledges to get Steve Pikiell roster budget help

Keli Zinn shared some interesting thoughts on the men's basketball program and Jersey Mike's Arena as Rutgers fell at USC

sports.yahoo.com

ScarletteK80 · Jan 31, 2026

As long as she leaves Coquese floating in the Pacific all is good.

MCKnight · Jan 31, 2026

The Problem will be Ultra Loyal Pike not wanting to replace any coach or player, and wanting to build with his young guys, while other teams continue to pay for age and experience, and/or 5 star freshman. There’s simply not enough talent, young or not, to compete with upper half big ten teams. The one spot we know they’ll look to invest in is the most expensive, it’ll eat up half our NIL budget, and What stud portal Center is choosing RU?

RUDivision · Jan 31, 2026

Good article but completely disagree with Zinn on Pike. Money will not help his glaring coaching issues

dark_check · Jan 31, 2026

MCKnight said:
The Problem will be Ultra Loyal Pike not wanting to replace any coach or player, and wanting to build with his young guys, while other teams continue to pay for age and experience, and/or 5 star freshman. There’s simply not enough talent, young or not, to compete with upper half big ten teams. The one spot we know they’ll look to invest in is the most expensive, it’ll eat up half our NIL budget, and What stud portal Center is choosing RU?

It’s like the new governor writing a strongly worded letter to the utility cos, Zinn can lean on Pike but as long as he has that buyout he’s going to run things his way. I still think the gm is a yes man for him. She has to get him more NIL, what choice do we have, but I agree with you. A leopard doesn’t change his spots. He supposedly wouldn’t pay for Ewin and I don’t think he’ll overpay for a needed center. He’ll retain his players with big raises to prove he can develop talent. Fill in some holes and while we may move up the standings a notch we won’t have the team to make the NCAAs. Just my opinion and I know many will say I’m too negative, but I’m entitled to my opinion and I have Pikes eye for talent over the last half decade to support my feelings (Francis wasn’t a Pike find). We’ll see and I hope for the best but expectations are low.

Mr. Magoo1 · Jan 31, 2026

Looks like Zinn is more of the same, as expected Lather, rinse, repeat. She’ll be replaced in 3 years.

richthedentist · Jan 31, 2026

dark_check said:
It’s like the new governor writing a strongly worded letter to the utility cos, Zinn can lean on Pike but as long as he has that buyout he’s going to run things his way. I still think the gm is a yes man for him. She has to get him more NIL, what choice do we have, but I agree with you. A leopard doesn’t change his spots. He supposedly wouldn’t pay for Ewin and I don’t think he’ll overpay for a needed center. He’ll retain his players with big raises to prove he can develop talent. Fill in some holes and while we may move up the standings a notch we won’t have the team to make the NCAAs. Just my opinion and I know many will say I’m too negative, but I’m entitled to my opinion and I have Pikes eye for talent over the last half decade to support my feelings (Francis wasn’t a Pike find). We’ll see and I hope for the best but expectations are low.

He’s getting 8-10 million next year and if things don’t improve then he’s gone!!
I would have to assume improving means theNCAA’s

dark_check · Jan 31, 2026

richthedentist said:
He’s getting 8-10 million next year and if things don’t improve then he’s gone!!
I would have to assume improving means theNCAA’s

I hope so

scarletrat99 · Jan 31, 2026

I could read Zinn's quote and actually think that it means by time RU will have the necessary NIL, that would be in a couple of years, ripe for the next coach--that her message wasn't as much about Pike as it was to put other coaches on notice of what she expects we'll have to compete for better players...

RC80 · Jan 31, 2026

While fully expected Pike to be here next season - didn't think she would make this endorsement now; thought it would be in early March. Guess if you're going to make the long trip you might as well say something newsworthy; but (my view) not sure why she felt it necessary to even bring up 27-28 season. My initial interpretation is that he is being given 2 seasons to turn this around. Hope that isn't what she was looking to convey.

needmorecowbell · Jan 31, 2026

RC80 said:
While fully expected Pike to be here next season - didn't think she would make this endorsement now; thought it would be in early March. Guess if you're going to make the long trip you might as well say something newsworthy; but (my view) not sure why she felt it necessary to even bring up 27-28 season. My initial interpretation is that he is being given 2 seasons to turn this around. Hope that isn't what she was looking to convey.

Pike has been dealing with the lowest NIL budget compared to practically every major university. She changed that and is now promoting that RU can start to compete. Everyone should be happy with that. Pike will get 1-2 years to prove he can bring RU back to the tournament. If he can’t they will move on.

dark_check · Jan 31, 2026

needmorecowbell said:
Pike has been dealing with the lowest NIL budget compared to practically every major university. She changed that and is now promoting that RU can start to compete. Everyone should be happy with that. Pike will get 1-2 years to prove he can bring RU back to the tournament. If he can’t they will move on.

Given the contract Hobbs gave him this would be the most reasonable compromise.

bitnez · Feb 1, 2026

Zinn and Tate love to tell people we now have NIL and money isn’t an issue. It better be true. And, assuming it is, they better demand success from these coaches.

bac2therac · Feb 1, 2026

needmorecowbell said:
Pike has been dealing with the lowest NIL budget compared to practically every major university. She changed that and is now promoting that RU can start to compete. Everyone should be happy with that. Pike will get 1-2 years to prove he can bring RU back to the tournament. If he can’t they will move on.

Now its 2..interesting

RUskoolie · Feb 1, 2026

Mr. Magoo1 said:
Looks like Zinn is more of the same, as expected Lather, rinse, repeat. She’ll be replaced in 3 years.

Tell me you don't give money without telling me.

bitnez said:
Zinn and Tate love to tell people we now have NIL and money isn’t an issue. It better be true. And, assuming it is, they better demand success from these coaches.

Tate and Zinn have been banging this drum since they showed up. Our NIL was a disgrace in both major sports. Purdue apparently has ONE player on their team who cost more than our ENTIRE TEAM.

The goal is to get our NIL to middle of the pack in the B1G (and donations too) both would be a herculean effort given our apparently poor and mostly uninspired alumni base.

I am not saying NIL cures all - but at least give our coaches a chance. Pike did build a good team for 3-4 years in a row, the winds shifted and he's been lost at sea ever since. They are course correcting him and if he fails okay fine he didn't have any other excuses left.

We can't fire a coach with a 20M buyout on top of a 78M headline that came out last week. Use your brains some of you.

mugrat86 · Feb 1, 2026

RUskoolie said:
Tell me you don't give money without telling me.

Tate and Zinn have been banging this drum since they showed up. Our NIL was a disgrace in both major sports. Purdue apparently has ONE player on their team who cost more than our ENTIRE TEAM.

The goal is to get our NIL to middle of the pack in the B1G (and donations too) both would be a herculean effort given our apparently poor and mostly uninspired alumni base.

I am not saying NIL cures all - but at least give our coaches a chance. Pike did build a good team for 3-4 years in a row, the winds shifted and he's been lost at sea ever since. They are course correcting him and if he fails okay fine he didn't have any other excuses left.

We can't fire a coach with a 20M buyout on top of a 78M headline that came out last week. Use your brains some of you.

The fact that Pike could actually compete in this conference with the talent level he has is an absolute testament to his coaching abilities. There were many people and mods who commented that we wouldn't win a conference game

dpwhite · Feb 1, 2026

mugrat86 said:
The fact that Pike could actually compete in this conference with the talent level he has is an absolute testament to his coaching abilities. There were many people and mods who commented that we wouldn't win a conference game

People are just mad about last year so they don’t want to see how things are starting to get better and are just moving the goal posts to stay angry. They don’t want to hear about NIL, even though that was the key factor for the last 3 years.

RexMantlepiece · Feb 1, 2026

RUskoolie said:
Tell me you don't give money without telling me.

Tate and Zinn have been banging this drum since they showed up. Our NIL was a disgrace in both major sports. Purdue apparently has ONE player on their team who cost more than our ENTIRE TEAM.

The goal is to get our NIL to middle of the pack in the B1G (and donations too) both would be a herculean effort given our apparently poor and mostly uninspired alumni base.

I am not saying NIL cures all - but at least give our coaches a chance. Pike did build a good team for 3-4 years in a row, the winds shifted and he's been lost at sea ever since. They are course correcting him and if he fails okay fine he didn't have any other excuses left.

We can't fire a coach with a 20M buyout on top of a 78M headline that came out last week. Use your brains some of you.

This boy is spot on! Thank you! But alot on this board still doesn’t get it.

RUDivision · Feb 1, 2026

RUskoolie said:
Tell me you don't give money without telling me.

Tate and Zinn have been banging this drum since they showed up. Our NIL was a disgrace in both major sports. Purdue apparently has ONE player on their team who cost more than our ENTIRE TEAM.

The goal is to get our NIL to middle of the pack in the B1G (and donations too) both would be a herculean effort given our apparently poor and mostly uninspired alumni base.

I am not saying NIL cures all - but at least give our coaches a chance. Pike did build a good team for 3-4 years in a row, the winds shifted and he's been lost at sea ever since. They are course correcting him and if he fails okay fine he didn't have any other excuses left.

We can't fire a coach with a 20M buyout on top of a 78M headline that came out last week. Use your brains some of you.

Sure be like the old Rutgers and keep a horrible coach and let the product continue to rot.

Next year Pike will get to 6 conf wins and his supporters will scream from the Moutainside tops about his big improvement.

The program will continue to lose money!

Like every other Power 4 school you fire the embarrassment and bring in the next top coach.

mugrat86 · Feb 1, 2026

RUDivision said:
Sure be like the old Rutgers and keep a horrible coach and let the product continue to rot.

Next year Pike will get to 6 conf wins and his supporters will scream from the Moutainside tops about his big improvement.

The program will continue to lose money!

Like every other Power 4 school you fire the embarrassment and bring in the next top coach.

Since you laughed at my comment about Pike doing wonders without any talent, do you actually think he does have BIG1G talent?

djrc89 · Feb 1, 2026

He’s staying so those that need to complain have another full year to do so. I still wonder what money we really have. Where does 8-10 million put us in our own league? Where does it put us relative to basketball only schools? Are we even top 50 ?

RUDivision · Feb 1, 2026

dpwhite said:
People are just mad about last year so they don’t want to see how things are starting to get better and are just moving the goal posts to stay angry. They don’t want to hear about NIL, even though that was the key factor for the last 3 years.

Now we are upset he blew the Houston game in the NCAA, or the ND play in game, or the Minn game , or the NIT game or the 2 NBA lottery picks, or the last 3 sub 500
Seasons. ALL get a coach fired !

RU band fans, everyone gets a trophy, keep the head coach and just keep kicking the standard of Excellence down the road:

Out biggest obstacle, more so than NIL Money, is the loser DNA mentality of our fan base.

Sweet Pea's Corner · Feb 1, 2026

Bob Mulchahy gave a raving endorsement at the Kevin Bannon Show once and a few weeks later was fired.

RUDivision · Feb 1, 2026

mugrat86 said:
Since you laughed at my comment about Pike doing wonders without any talent, do you actually think he does have BIG1G talent?

He’s won 2 games! Oregon on a 4 game east cost trip with out their best player, and NW . Lost to CCSU and should have lost to PENN. Will finish te. Games or more below 500 and below 500 AGAIN.

So yes I laughed at your Pike can coach comment. Still am laughing.

bitnez · Feb 1, 2026

RUskoolie said:
Tell me you don't give money without telling me.

Tate and Zinn have been banging this drum since they showed up. Our NIL was a disgrace in both major sports. Purdue apparently has ONE player on their team who cost more than our ENTIRE TEAM.

The goal is to get our NIL to middle of the pack in the B1G (and donations too) both would be a herculean effort given our apparently poor and mostly uninspired alumni base.

I am not saying NIL cures all - but at least give our coaches a chance. Pike did build a good team for 3-4 years in a row, the winds shifted and he's been lost at sea ever since. They are course correcting him and if he fails okay fine he didn't have any other excuses left.

We can't fire a coach with a 20M buyout on top of a 78M headline that came out last week. Use your brains some of you.

Who said anything about firing coaches this year? If we have NIL and they give it to the coaches (which will be after this year) I said they need to demand success. No more excuses come 26-27.

mugrat86 · Feb 1, 2026

RUDivision said:
He’s won 2 games! Oregon on a 4 game east cost trip with out their best player, and NW . Lost to CCSU and should have lost to PENN. Will finish te. Games or more below 500 and below 500 AGAIN.

So yes I laughed at your Pike can coach comment. Still am laughing.

This team took the #7 team in the country to overtime. He traveled across the country and almost upset the #52 team in Kenpom at their place. Pike has beaten 17 ranked teams while at Rutgers including the #1 team at their place. This team has zero talent due to a worse NIL situation that any power 4 school

Knight Shift · Feb 1, 2026

Sweet Pea's Corner said:
Bob Mulchahy gave a raving endorsement at the Kevin Bannon Show once and a few weeks later was fired.

Did your forget some inconvenient facts? From Wikipedia:

"Bannon came under fire toward the end of his tenure at Rutgers regarding an incident in a free throw drill during his first year as coach. Players Earl Johnson and Josh Sankes claimed they were forced to remove clothing for each free throw they missed, and then were forced to run wind sprints while naked."

Interesting:

"most recently was employed by the Mercer County, New Jersey, Park Commission, until 2016 where he served as its executive director. He was indicted on October 31, 2017, in connection with misuse of public funds and his relationship with the Park District."

bac2therac · Feb 1, 2026

RUskoolie said:
Tell me you don't give money without telling me.

Tate and Zinn have been banging this drum since they showed up. Our NIL was a disgrace in both major sports. Purdue apparently has ONE player on their team who cost more than our ENTIRE TEAM.

The goal is to get our NIL to middle of the pack in the B1G (and donations too) both would be a herculean effort given our apparently poor and mostly uninspired alumni base.

I am not saying NIL cures all - but at least give our coaches a chance. Pike did build a good team for 3-4 years in a row, the winds shifted and he's been lost at sea ever since. They are course correcting him and if he fails okay fine he didn't have any other excuses left.

We can't fire a coach with a 20M buyout on top of a 78M headline that came out last week. Use your brains some of you.

Pike is over. No amount if money will change that when every other school will have more still than Rutgers and returning talent is low

dark_check · Feb 1, 2026

bac2therac said:
Pike is over. No amount if money will change that when every other school will have more still than Rutgers and returning talent is low

I think people forget that everyone’s budget will go up

bac2therac · Feb 1, 2026

dpwhite said:
People are just mad about last year so they don’t want to see how things are starting to get better and are just moving the goal posts to stay angry. They don’t want to hear about NIL, even though that was the key factor for the last 3 years.

Getting better? 2-9 and relying on one guy basically to bring you to a win. Are you being fooled by a USC team incredulously up 17 literally handing the game to RU in the last 4 minutes while literally dominating them the previous 36 minutes

bac2therac · Feb 1, 2026

mugrat86 said:
Since you laughed at my comment about Pike doing wonders without any talent, do you actually think he does have BIG1G talent?

Then what does that say for next year

dark_check · Feb 1, 2026

mugrat86 said:
This team took the #7 team in the country to overtime. He traveled across the country and almost upset the #52 team in Kenpom at their place. Pike has beaten 17 ranked teams while at Rutgers including the #1 team at their place. This team has zero talent due to a worse NIL situation that any power 4 school

Pike had two lottery picks and couldn’t make the NCAAs. Or have a winning record. It’s not a talent problem. He has Francis and played him what 27 mins last night.

bac2therac · Feb 1, 2026

djrc89 said:
He’s staying so those that need to complain have another full year to do so. I still wonder what money we really have. Where does 8-10 million put us in our own league? Where does it put us relative to basketball only schools? Are we even top 50 ?

It puts up bottom tier..maybe ahead of NW and Penn State and in line with Minnesota and maybe Maryland/Iowa

bac2therac · Feb 1, 2026

mugrat86 said:
This team took the #7 team in the country to overtime. He traveled across the country and almost upset the #52 team in Kenpom at their place. Pike has beaten 17 ranked teams while at Rutgers including the #1 team at their place. This team has zero talent due to a worse NIL situation that any power 4 school

Penn State lost to Mich State by 4 and Michigan by 2

What does that even mean

bac2therac · Feb 1, 2026

Knight Shift said:
Did your forget some inconvenient facts? From Wikipedia:

"Bannon came under fire toward the end of his tenure at Rutgers regarding an incident in a free throw drill during his first year as coach. Players Earl Johnson and Josh Sankes claimed they were forced to remove clothing for each free throw they missed, and then were forced to run wind sprints while naked."

Interesting:

"most recently was employed by the Mercer County, New Jersey, Park Commission, until 2016 where he served as its executive director. He was indicted on October 31, 2017, in connection with misuse of public funds and his relationship with the Park District."

Sit this one out

Mulchahy already knew the story

mugrat86 · Feb 1, 2026

dark_check said:
Pike had two lottery picks and couldn’t make the NCAAs. Or have a winning record. It’s not a talent problem. He has Francis and played him what 27 mins last night.

Two lottery picks and nothing else.

bac2therac · Feb 1, 2026

dark_check said:
I think people forget that everyone’s budget will go up

Somehow they are forgetting this. Likely on purpose...RU returning talent still bottom tier of league and no guarantee Francus stays

Is Pikes going from 12-20 to 20-12

Well now we have people saying he should get 2 years

bac2therac · Feb 1, 2026

dark_check said:
Pike had two lottery picks and couldn’t make the NCAAs. Or have a winning record. It’s not a talent problem. He has Francis and played him what 27 mins last night.

Not starting Francis in 2nd half cost RU a ton of points . Its criminal

bac2therac · Feb 1, 2026

mugrat86 said:
Two lottery picks and nothing else.

Whose fault

dark_check · Feb 1, 2026

mugrat86 said:
Two lottery picks and nothing else.

He could have had Ewin. Passed. He just needed to surround them with athletic defense which he could afford, half of us here knew that. He chose to spend his money on inefficient shooters. It’s not that he had zero additional money. He made bad choices. Stop fooling yourself.

Pikiell Gets Supportive Nod from Keli Zinn

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