Staff Directory
- Title:
- General Manager - Men's Basketball
- Email:
- Phone:
- (732) 445-6206
Rob Sullivan begins his second season as general manager for Rutgers basketball in 2026-27. He was named to the role in November 2025 after six seasons at Saint Joseph’s, the last three as general manager for the Hawks’ men’s basketball program.
Sullivan oversees strategic and operational initiatives that support both Rutgers basketball programs, including name, image and likeness (NIL) strategy, alumni and donor engagement, game scheduling and branding. He works closely with men’s basketball head coach Steve Pikiell to strengthen the program’s infrastructure and elevate the student-athlete experience. Sullivan played a key role in evaluating the 2025-26 roster and in guiding the men’s basketball staff as it built the 2026-27 roster.
Sullivan brings a blend of traditional basketball experience and expertise in today’s NIL-driven college basketball landscape.
“In this new era of college athletics, I’m all-in and fully understand the importance that NIL plays in the recruitment and retention of players and crafting a roster for success and sustainability,” Sullivan said. “I want to be a resource for Coach Washington and Coach Pikiell to win games, and I know how crucial revenue share and NIL are to the team’s success on the court.”
Career
Sullivan began his administrative career at his alma mater, serving 10 seasons as Saint Joseph’s director of men’s basketball operations. He then joined Cornerstone Management, a sports and entertainment agency specializing in athlete marketing and development. He returned to Saint Joseph’s in 2019 as senior associate athletics director for external affairs before becoming the Hawks’ general manager.
“I had the opportunity as an undergraduate to play at St. Joe’s for Coach (Phil) Martelli and had some awesome team success, including that special Elite Eight team in 2004,” Sullivan said. “Coach Martelli gave me my first shot in the business. After graduation, I became the director of basketball operations, and the beauty of that position at St. Joe’s is I literally learned the business from the ground up.”
Playing Career
A 2006 Saint Joseph’s graduate, Sullivan played on Hawks teams that reached the NCAA Elite Eight in 2004 and the NIT championship game in 2005. He twice received team awards for leadership and spirit and was named to both the SJU Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and the Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
What They’re Saying
“It starts with the vision that Keli has for Rutgers Athletics,” Sullivan said when he was hired. “Rutgers being a nationally renowned academic institution and a member of the Big Ten Conference with two big-time basketball programs made this an exciting role. This is a great opportunity to work with two head coaches who are both incredibly reputable and credentialed. I’m looking forward to what we can build with Rutgers basketball.”
“Rob brings great experience and a strong understanding of what it takes to build and sustain successful programs,” Pikiell said. “He’s an exceptional fundraiser and a proven leader who will make an immediate impact on Rutgers. His blend of basketball experience, key relationships and fundraising efforts will make him a key contributor to our staff going forward.”
Jameer Nelson, Sullivan’s college teammate and now assistant general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, has been impressed by Sullivan’s adaptability in the ever-changing world of college athletics, dating to their playing days.
“The dynamic of being able to communicate effectively with the coaches, players and donors is something he does exceptionally well,” said Nelson, who played 14 seasons in the NBA. “The main thing about him is he’s real. In this business we all work in, being real is a huge characteristic that you need when working with people, and he has that.”
Billy Lange, Saint Joseph’s head coach from 2019 to 2025 and now senior vice president and head of player development for the New York Knicks, credited Sullivan with pioneering the general manager position on Hawk Hill. Lange said the role aided a vision that rebooted the brand and built a culture during a critical period of change in college basketball.
“Rutgers basketball made a great hire in Rob Sullivan,” Lange said. “Rob has unique skills due to his varied experiences in the college hoops landscape. He has been a part of a No. 1-ranked team in the nation as a player, he has served an NCAA Tournament program in the critical role of basketball operations, he has excelled in the field of sports agency, and he has run his own player development company where he trained players from young ages to the professional ranks.”
