A father of four, Steve Pikiell has led the resurgence of Rutgers men’s basketball both on and off the court. Entering his 10th season as head coach of the Scarlet Knights in 2025-26, Pikiell guided Rutgers back to the NCAA Tournament in 2021, its first appearance since 1991. The team returned again in 2022, marking the first consecutive NCAA appearances since 1976. In 2022, Pikiell surpassed Tom Young for the most ranked wins in school history (15). He has coached some of the greatest players in Rutgers history, including All-American Ron Harper Jr., National Defensive Player of the Year and all-time steals leader Caleb McConnell, and Big Ten Medal of Honor winner Geo Baker. In 2024-25, Pikiell led the recruitment of the highest-ranked players in school history, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, who became the highest NBA draft picks in program history in 2025.
With 35 years of coaching experience, the Bristol, Connecticut, native is under contract to remain at Rutgers through the 2030-31 season. As the 19th head coach in school history, Pikiell has been instrumental in program turnarounds throughout his career, achieving conference championships and NCAA Tournament berths. He celebrated his 100th career victory at Rutgers and his 300th career victory overall during the 2022-23 season.
Recent Seasons
2024-25: Led Rutgers to its highest-scoring offense in 32 years, averaging 76.6 points per game. Freshmen Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey set Rutgers records for freshman scoring and became the highest NBA draft picks in school history (Harper: 2nd overall, Spurs; Bailey: 5th overall, Jazz).
2023-24: Maintained one of the nation’s best homecourt advantages, finishing 12-5 at home and selling out every home game. Secured a 16th-ranked win with a 78-56 victory over No. 9 Wisconsin. Achieved the school’s first-ever win at Michigan and a four-game conference winning streak. Center Clifford Omoruyi averaged 2.9 blocks per game (third nationally) and earned All-Big Ten First Defensive Team honors.
2022-23: Guided Rutgers to three straight postseason berths for the first time in school history. Notched a 14th-ranked win over No. 8 Indiana and a victory at No. 1 Purdue. Celebrated his 100th Rutgers win and 300th career win. Caleb McConnell earned the Lefty Driesell National Defensive Player of the Year and ESPN National Defensive Player of the Year honors.
2021-22: Rutgers earned 12 Big Ten wins—the most in school history—and made its second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The Scarlet Knights achieved program firsts, including victories over a No. 1 ranked team (Purdue), Michigan, and Wisconsin, as well as back-to-back wins over ranked opponents. Rutgers became the all-time leader in ranked wins under Pikiell. Caleb McConnell won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. Ron Harper Jr. was named the 11th men's basketball All-American in school historry.
2020-21: Pikiell received the Peter A. Carlesimo Award from the Met Basketball Writers Association for the second straight season (fourth overall). Led Rutgers to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1991, defeating No. 7 seed Clemson for the program’s first NCAA win since 1983. Rutgers went 16-12 despite the nation’s second-toughest schedule and finished with 10 Big Ten wins over two seasons.
2019-20: Recipient of the Jim Phelan Award for the nation’s top Division I coach and the Peter A. Carlesimo Award. Rutgers ranked in the AP Poll for the first time in 41 years and recorded its first 20-win regular season in 37 years. Led the Scarlet Knights to the most Big Ten victories in 29 years (11) and the most home wins in the nation (18). Opened the RWJBarnabas Health Athletic Performance Center, enhancing facilities for the men’s basketball program.
2018-19: Named Sports Illustrated’s Most Improved Team. Rutgers improved 70 spots in the KenPom rankings, tied for 10th in the Big Ten, and achieved notable wins over No. 16 Ohio State and No. 22 Iowa. Welcomed a four-recruit signing class including multiple four-star players for the first time since 2008.
2017-18: Advanced to the Big Ten quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden for the first time since 1998. Led Rutgers to top-three Big Ten rankings in eight statistical categories, including offensive rebounding and 3-point FG% defense.
2016-17: Began tenure with a 9-1 start, the best head-coaching debut in Rutgers history. The Scarlet Knights more than doubled overall wins and tripled conference victories. Posted major NCAA ranking improvements across multiple categories.
Academics & Community:
Pikiell’s teams have excelled academically, with a 3.537 team GPA in spring 2020 and a 3.237 GPA for the 2019-20 academic year. The program achieved an NCAA Graduate Success Rate of 80 (7th in Big Ten) and an APR score of 984 (5th in Big Ten). Under Pikiell, Rutgers has maintained 100% participation in leadership development and community service initiatives, including charity exhibitions, youth clinics, and volunteer work.
Prior to Rutgers:
Pikiell led Stony Brook to six postseason appearances in seven years, winning four America East regular season championships and earning America East Coach of the Year four times. He served as an assistant at George Washington (2001-05), Central Connecticut State (1997-01), Yale (1992-95), and began his career at UConn (1991-92). He also had a stint as interim head coach at Wesleyan and played professionally with the New Haven Skyhawks (USBL, 1992).
Personal:
Pikiell and his wife, Kate, have four children: Brooke (a Northwestern basketball / graduate student at Rutgers), John Patrick (a Rutgers graduate), Olivia (current Rutgers women’s lacrosse player/ former UNC lacrosse player), and Kevin (Sacred Heart men’s basketball player). A 1990 graduate of UConn with a degree in finance, Pikiell was a four-year letterwinner and two-time team captain. He enjoyed a distinguished high school career at St. Paul Catholic High School, with his No. 21 jersey retired and induction into the Bristol Hall of Fame in 2006.
