Schiano to stay at Rutgers

Dec 7, 2007 - 4:28 PM PISCATAWAY, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Greg Schiano announced Friday morning that he will remain the football coach at Rutgers, ending speculation that he might leave to accept the vacancy at Michigan.

Schiano issued a short statement confirming earlier reports that he met with Michigan athletic director Bill Martin.

"I was contacted earlier this week about the Michigan coaching vacancy, but I have decided to remove my name from consideration," Schiano said. "I look forward to our third straight bowl game and to bringing a national championship to Rutgers and the state of New Jersey."

It marks the second time in the last week that a high-profile coach has turned down the opportunity to coach the Wolverines.

Louisiana State coach Les Miles, a Michigan graduate, decided to stay in Baton Rouge last Saturday and signed a contract extension with the school Thursday.

It also marks the second time in the last year that Schiano has withdrawn himself from consideration for a coaching job at a marquee program.

A New Jersey native, Schiano turned down the chance to coach Miami after a successful 2006 campaign and signed a four-year contract extension last February which will keep him at Rutgers at least through 2016.

Schiano, 41, owns a 37-46 career record in seven seasons at Rutgers and has guided the Scarlet Knights to bowl appearances in each of the last three campaigns.

Ranked 16th in the preseason, Rutgers struggled through a somewhat disappointing 2007 campaign and finished 7-5. The Scarlet Knights will face Ball State in the International Bowl in Toronto on January 5.

Rutgers enjoyed a breakthrough 2006 season under Schiano, who guided the Scarlet Knights to an 11-2 record and the program's first bowl win - a 37-10 triumph over Kansas State in the inaugural Texas Bowl. The 11 wins tied a school record.