Rutgers Students React To Schiano Departure

While the Rutgers community digested the news of head football coach Greg Schiano's acceptance of an NFL job, students had mixed feelings on his departure.

On Thursday, it was that Schiano, 45, had accepted a job as head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Rutgers defensive line coach Kyle Flood has been appointed interim head coach until a permanent replacement can be found.

Schiano's departure came to light approximately one week before National Signing Day.

Rutgers senior Harold Delaney called Schiano a "turncoat" and said he believed the coach only had his own interests in mind.

"He spent so much money to make this team his team, and then completely just ditching us the first chance he gets," Delaney said. "At the moment, I feel like he’s kind of a turncoat, and that he was building himself up in this University as a person that was going stand with us as long as he possibly could and make us the best football team in the Big East.”

Delaney said that Schiano was making a good career decision, but that was about it.

"When it comes down to it, he appears to have no real honor about what he’s doing," Delaney said.

Junior Keren Brown said she believed that Schiano's departure would allow for a less expensive coach, and potentially free up money to be used in other areas of the University budget, for construction or to be given to student organizations.

“I think him leaving for another team gives us the opportunity to hire another coach who won’t require as high of a salary, and we can use that money towards things that benefit the students more — like education," Brown said.

At a press conference Thursday, Rutgers Athletic Director Tim Pernetti declined to comment on the detailed of Schiano's contract, stating that it was "a very complicated document" that would not be discussed without more details.

Junior Darian Barnes, 31, praised Schiano's decision and said the news was good for Rutgers.

Barnes is a former Rutgers fullback, playing for the school in the late 90's. He also played professionally for a number of NFL teams, including Tampa Bay.

"I think that it was good for Rutgers that a guy of his caliber coached here for so long, and now he’s going to coach the NFL. I also think it’s good for Rutgers because they’ll be able to get some fresh blood in here and try to make a push," Barnes said.

Barnes said the football program has come a long way in the last nine years, and hoped whoever took Schiano's place would keep it growing.

"Let’s bring somebody in who’s going to keep it going in the right direction," he said.