Steve Pikiell

The trajectory of sports is notoriously difficult to predict, especially on the collegiate level. In years past, these pages have featured Greg Schiano, the head coach of Rutgers University’s football team, and Woody Johnson, the owner of the New York Jets. In both cases the teams seemed headed in a positive direction.

That did not last long. But there is reason to believe that Pikiell can buck that trend.

In his six seasons as the head men’s basketball coach at Rutgers, Pikiell has transformed the program from a national punch line into a force in the Big 10 Conference. Rutgers has emerged as a legitimate contender for a conference championship and, more important, has made the NCAA tournament for two consecutive years – and would have made it three but for the COVID-19 pandemic. Barring an epic and unlikely collapse, the Scarlet Knights will make the Big Dance again this year.

But most encouraging for Rutgers fans – and for the decision to put him on this list – is what the future could hold. Pikiell has secured commitments from several highly regarded recruits who could ensure that the program will be a national power over the next couple of years. All of which leads to reports that the university is interested in extending his contract, perhaps for the rest of his life. Pikiell could be one of the few “can’t miss” personalities in the New Jersey sports world. But we’ll see.