Well that was fast.
ESPN is reporting that Greg Schiano has decided not to pursue the coaching job at the University of Michigan:
Two days after flirting with the Michigan job, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has decided he will stay in New Jersey.
Jason Baum, Rutgers’ assistant athletic director for football media and public relations, said the school would release a formal announcement later on Friday.
ESPN’s Joe Schad reports that Schiano told athletic director Robert Mulcahy he will remain at Rutgers, a source close to Schiano said Friday morning. Schiano spurned a chance to go to the University of Miami after last season.
Schiano, 41, spoke with Michigan athletic director Bill Martin on Wednesday in New York about his vacancy but decided not to pursue it any further. This season Schiano has guided Rutgers to its third straight bowl bid.
Where Michigan turns now is unknown. Presumed leading candidate Les Miles of LSU signed a new contract on Thursday to stay in Baton Rouge.
Great to hear.
Update: More on Schiano’s decision from the Star-Ledger:
Greg Schiano told his players in an emotional team meeting this morning that he will stay as head football coach at Rutgers University. He had been in discussion with the University of Michigan to succeed retiring head coach Lloyd Carr.
Schiano called the team to the Hale Center at 7 a.m. and told them he “still had work to do” at Rutgers. Schiano looked physically exhausted and said “this was a hard decision,” according to a member of the football staff who was in the meeting.
A Rutgers spokesman confirmed Schiano’s decision, and the university is expected to release a statement later this morning.
Schiano was not available for comment.
More to follow, I’m sure.
Update #2: Schiano has released the following statement:
“I was contacted earlier this week about the Michigan coaching vacancy, but I have decided to remove my name from consideration. I look forward to our third straight bowl game and to bringing a national championship to Rutgers and the state of New Jersey. I will have no further comment.”
Short. Sweet. And to the point. Schiano is here to stay.
