Who’s not aware of Steve Pikiell? Having over 30 years of coaching experience, Pikiell is considered one of the legendary coaches in collegiate basketball. His time with Rutgers has been nothing short of impressive as he did what no one else could, achieving a historic milestone while guiding Rutgers to its first NCAA tournament in three decades.

Pikiell has had the privilege of coaching some of Rutgers’ most legendary players like Ron Harper Jr., the school’s most recent All-American; National Defensive Player of the Year and the program’s all-time steals leader Caleb McConnell; and Geo Baker, who earned the prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor. Recognizing the impact he has on the program, the coach earns quite a competitive salary. Here’s everything you need to know about Rutger’s coach.

Steve’s early life and rise to coaching success

Born on November 21, 1967, Stephen Christopher Pikiell graduated from Connecticut University in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. During his playing days there from 1987 to 1991, Pikiell was a four-year letter-winner and served as a two-time captain leading UConn to win its first Big East title and advance to the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight.

In his senior year, Pikiell played a pivotal role in one of UConn’s most memorable victories. As the No. 11 seed, UConn pulled off a stunning 79-62 upset over Shaquille O’Neal and the No. 6 seed LSU in the round of 64, a performance that remains a highlight of his college basketball career to this day. Steve Pikiell’s dedication and success in basketball, both as a player and a coach, have not only earned him respect but also significant financial success.

His net worth is estimated at around $5 million and as for the 2024-25 season, Steve Pikiell is set to earn an annual salary of $3.25 million. Looking ahead, it is said to grow gradually to reach $4 million by 2028. Steve’s commitment to Rutger’s extends till the 2030/31 season– an eight-year deal valued at $30.8 million. 

Steve Pikiell’s coaching journey began as an assistant coach at UConn and Yale, where he honed his skills. Over the years, he took on various coaching roles, but his time at Stony Brook stood out, leading the team to NCAA Tournament appearances, and establishing himself as a rising star in the coaching world. His 11-year success there laid the groundwork for his impactful career, eventually leading him to his current position at Rutgers, where he continues to shatter records and rewrite history.

Transforming Rutgers: A New Era Under Pikiell

March 16, 2016, was the day when Steve joined Rutgers as their 19th Head Coach. He tipped off his tenure with an impressive 9-1 start, marking the best debut for a head coach in the history of Rutgers.

Under Pikiell’s leadership, the Scarlet Knights saw a remarkable change, climbing into the top 100 in 10 NCAA statistical categories. Seven of those rankings placed them in the top 50, a significant leap from the previous season, where they were only able to get into the top 150 in just two categories.

Pikiell led the team to an undefeated record at home during non-conference play, setting the stage for an exciting season. Their 6-0 start was a remarkable achievement, marking the sixth-best unbeaten beginning in the 110-year history of the program. In his second season, things started to get even better.

In the (2016-17) season Rutgers made a thrilling run to the Big Ten Conference quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden, securing impressive victories over Minnesota and the five-time national champion Indiana. This marked a historic achievement for the program, as it was the first time since 1998 that Rutgers had won two conference tournament games.

In 2021 Pikiell led Rutgers to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1991 and under his leadership the program secured 10 Big Ten Conference victories in a single season, bringing their total to 21 wins over the past two years.

Pikiell’s journey has transformed Rutgers into a competitive force, proving him worthy of the massive contract.