Rutgers athletic department faces personnel evaluations in second year

Rutgers athletic director Keli Zinn enters her second season leading the department, facing pressure to improve performance across all sports. The university's standing in the Director’s Cup fell during the previous year, prompting scrutiny for multiple coaches. While Zinn provided contract extensions to three coaches during her first year, she also demonstrated a low tolerance for underperformance by replacing women’s basketball coach Coquese Washington with Gary Redus II. Seven head coaches are entering the final year of their existing contracts as the 2026-27 academic year begins. Athletes and staff across the department must demonstrate progress to avoid potential coaching changes. Administrative leaders including President William Tate IV and Zinn are prioritizing performance improvement to restore the standing of the athletic program.

• 12:11 PMYahoo Sports — For multiple Rutgers coaches, AD Keli Zinn’s 2nd year marks ‘prove it’ season. Who is on hot seat?