Rutgers University-New Brunswick Men's Basketball

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 in 2022, marking the first consecutive NCAA appearances since 1976. In 2022, Pikiell surpassed Tom Young for the most ranked wins in school history (17). Pikiell’s 147 wins at Rutgers are third all-time in school history. Pikiell has coached some of the greatest players in Rutgers history, including the school’s 11th All-American in 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. Pikiell welcomes the fourth-best recruiting class in the Big Ten Conference and the 30th in the nation in 2025-26. 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 se

Anthony Martin enters his fourth season with the Rutgers University equipment staff. He first started On The Banks in summer 2019. Primarily works with Men’s Basketball, Wrestling, Gymnastics, and Women’s Rowing. Martin previously served as the Director of Equipment Services at Lafayette College from 2017-2019 and oversaw all varsity sports equipment, budgets, and logo usage with special emphasis on Football including team travel. Before Lafayette, Martin spent six years as the athletic equipment manager at Oregon State University serving as the equipment manager for all Olympic sports with a focus on men's and women's basketball and football. While there, Martin held a key role in the launch of Oregon State's new brand identity and worked to ensure proper logo usage at the Pac-12 school. Prior to arriving at Oregon State, Martin was an intern with the Washington Capitals from 2009-10 and served as the primary locker room attendant at the Verizon Center. He got his start in hockey equipment at his alma mater, serving as the assistant equipment manager for the University of Michigan hockey team from 2008-09. From 2005-08, he also worked on the arena operations staff at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor. A native of Wood-Ridge, NJ, Martin earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Management from the University of Michigan in 2009 and went on to earn his Master's degree in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University in 2010. Martin serves on the External Communications Co

Brandin Knight enters his fifth season as Associate Head Coach of Rutgers men’s basketball in 2025-26 and his tenth overall with the program, having joined Rutgers as an assistant coach on April 18, 2016. A New Jersey native, Knight is recognized as one of college basketball’s rising coaching talents, with 12 NCAA Tournament appearances to his credit—ten as a staffer and two as a student-athlete—including four Sweet Sixteen appearances. Knight has been instrumental in recruiting and developing NBA-caliber Scarlet Knights, including Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Clifford Omoruyi, and Ron Harper Jr. In 2024-25, he played a key role in bringing in Rutgers’ highest-ranked recruits in school history, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, who became the highest two draft picks in program history in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. During the 2025-26 season, Knight helped guide the Rutgers offense that scored 76.6 points per game, the best at the school in 32 years. During the 2023-24 season, Knight helped Rutgers maintain one of the nation’s strongest homecourt advantages, finishing 12-5 at home with sellouts for every game. In 2022-23, Rutgers became the first team in school history to achieve four consecutive winning seasons and reached postseason play for the third straight year. Knight’s impact extends beyond recruiting. He is central to game-planning, opponent scouting, and the development of Rutgers’ backcourt and perimeter players. Rutgers has signed four-star recruits from New Jer

Chris Corso completed his fifth season in the Rutgers University Division of Athletics in 2025-26 as Assistant Athletic Director for Communications and serves as the primary athletic communications contact for the Scarlet Knights' men's basketball program. Corso joined Rutgers in October 2021 and is responsible for managing content across the men's basketball social media platforms, coordinating all media availability for head coach Steve Pikiell and players, and overseeing online and written publications. He has also emerged as an on-air talent for the men's basketball team, helped spearhead player-driven content initiatives, and serves as an emcee for all home games. Corso additionally fills in as a radio analyst for men's basketball broadcasts on WFAN. Notably, he managed campaigns for National Defensive Player of the Year and two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Caleb McConnell, as well as Ron Harper Jr., Rutgers' first All-American in 15 years. Corso managed all content and media requests for the Scarlet Knights' top NBA Draft picks in school history in 2025 in Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper. A native of Long Island, New York, Corso spent seven seasons in the National Football League with the Minnesota Vikings as Digital Media Coordinator and Producer. In that role, he directed communications and digital content initiatives, developed platforms for players, coaches, and staff, and played a key role in coverage for the opening of U.S. Bank Stadium in 2016. Corso ear

David VanDyke brings over two decades of extensive performance coaching expertise to his role as Assistant Athletics Director-Strength and Conditioning, now in his ninth season with the program. Specializing in basketball, VanDyke oversees the strength and conditioning regimen for 23 of the Scarlet Knights’ 24 athletic programs. Benefitting from state-of-the-art facilities at the RWJBarnabas Health Athletic Performance Center, VanDyke operates within the cutting-edge "Platek Family Strength and Conditioning Area." This 6,950 square-foot space features top-tier amenities such as a 40-yard inlaid turf track, and advanced individualized student-athlete monitoring technology. Committed to leveraging the latest technologies to propel performance, VanDyke integrates innovative systems like Kinexon, Hawkin and EliteForm into the men’s basketball program. These tools provide objective performance assessments, real-time data analysis, and evidence-based training prescriptions, enabling VanDyke to tailor training regimens to each athlete's needs effectively. Prior to his tenure at Rutgers, VanDyke distinguished himself as Director of Speed, Strength and Conditioning at Stony Brook University, where he played a pivotal role in the success of 20 intercollegiate programs. Under his leadership, the university secured numerous conference championships across various sports, including notable achievements such as baseball's 2012 College World Series appearance and men’s basketball's NCAA Tou

Jake Sullivan begins his first season as a graduate assistant at Rutgers in 2025–26. A Connecticut native, he spent the past two years as a volunteer assistant at the University of Saint Joseph under Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun, where he also played for five years. From 2018–23, Sullivan was a five-time captain and started 103 games for the Blue Jays. He helped lead the program to a 99–21 record, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and a Sweet 16 berth in his final season. Sullivan earned his undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Saint Joseph in 2022 with a 3.79 GPA and Dean’s List honors. He also holds a Master of Science in Management. Most recently, he gained additional coaching experience on the AAU Hoop Group Circuit with Project Triple Threat.

Jay Young returns to Rutgers in 2025-26 for his second year as an assistant coach in his second stint with the Scarlet Knights. A respected veteran with 37 years of coaching experience, Young returned to Rutgers in 2024-25 after four seasons as head coach at Fairfield University. “We are thrilled to welcome Jay Young back home to Rutgers,” said head coach Steve Pikiell said at the time of his hiring. “Jay is one of the hardest workers I have been around in my 30-plus years of coaching. He helped build winning programs from the ground up at Stony Brook and Rutgers and brings an outstanding wealth of knowledge to all areas of our program.” Young added, “It’s special for my family and me to be back with Coach Pikiell after 14 great years together. I value being around great people and a tremendous university. During my previous tenure at Rutgers, I met so many remarkable people, and now to be reunited with them, I couldn’t be more excited. I am as hungry as ever to get back to coaching.” Career Highlights Young has guided programs to eight national tournament appearances, including two at both the Division I and II levels and four at the Division III level, highlighted by an NJCAA Final Four berth. During his first tenure at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights set new standards for Big Ten wins, recorded their first Big Ten postseason victory in 2017, and reached the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals for the first time in 2018. In 2019-20, KenPom.com ranked Rutgers as the most improved

Marlon Williamson enters his third season as an assistant coach for Rutgers men’s basketball in 2025-26. He joined the Scarlet Knights ahead of the 2023-24 season after serving as an assistant coach at Central Michigan University from 2021-23. Known as a top-tier recruiter with deep ties in Detroit, throughout Michigan, the Midwest, and the East Coast, Williamson brings over 20 years of coaching experience to Rutgers. Williamson has thrived as a recruiter for the staff and helped Pikiell welcome the 4th-best recruiting class in the Big Ten Conference and the 30th-best in the country in 2025-26 (On3.com). Before Central Michigan, Williamson spent four seasons as an assistant at Long Island University-Brooklyn (2017-21) under head coach Derek Kellogg, helping LIU to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2018—the program’s first in five seasons. He previously served two seasons at the University of Pittsburgh under head coach Jamie Dixon, including an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2015-16. From 2012-14, Williamson was an assistant at the University of Massachusetts under Derek Kellogg, where the Minutemen compiled a 45-21 record and made back-to-back postseason appearances. In 2013-14, UMass earned its first NCAA Tournament bid in 16 years as a No. 6 seed, finishing 24-9 overall and 10-6 in Atlantic 10 Conference play. Pikiell on Williamson’s hiring: “We are very excited to welcome Marlon to the Rutgers men’s basketball family. Marlon is an awesome family man and brings all the thing

Matt Colagiovanni serves as Deputy Athletic Director, Chief of Staff. He has been with Rutgers Athletics for the last 24 years, most recently serving as Deputy Athletic Director - Facilities, Capital Projects and Internal Operations, where he provides sport administration, oversight of capital projects, strategic planning and facility management for the entire 24-sport athletic program. In his role as Chief of Staff, Colagiovanni will serve as a key strategic advisor to support internal planning and policy development. Colagiovanni was appointed to serve as the interim athletic director from July 14, 2025 through Aug. 5, 2025. On November 27, 2024, Colagiovanni was selected as one of the 20 members of the Rutgers Presidential Search Committee, which resulted in the hiring of Tate as the State University of New Jersey’s 22nd president. Tate, who took over duties as Rutgers President on July 1, formerly served as President of Louisiana State University. Colagiovanni also served as the sport administrator for the football and men's basketball programs. He also provided oversight of all aspects for each program, including staff evaluations, scheduling, budgeting and resource management, on top of assisting each program in its donor relations efforts, attending events and relationship-building. Additionally, Colagiovanni held oversight responsibility for an approximate 55-member facilities staff, including administration, grounds, custodial, electrical, painter and mechanical in d

PJ Mullen serves as the Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director for Marketing, Fan Experience and Brand Strategy. Mullen joined Rutgers Athletics in 2021 and has been instrumental in transforming The Rutgers Game Day Experience. He oversees the marketing, game presentation and fan experience staff for all 24 sports. He and his team serve as the department leads for the spirit and mascot squads, as well as The Marching Scarlet Knights. Mullen also assists with men's basketball sports administrator duties. In his role, Mullen leads Rutgers Athletics' NIL branding strategy with a focus on advertising and promotion that elevates student-athlete visibility, enhances fan engagement, and drives NIL opportunities. Under his leadership, Rutgers launched The Rutgers Boardwalk and The Rutgers Winter Village, signature experiences that have redefined fan engagement and become hallmarks of the Scarlet Knights' home game atmosphere. Before arriving 'On the Banks,' Mullen served as Penn State's Director of Marketing for nearly five years, directing and producing football gamedays at Beaver Stadium and overseeing marketing and fan experience efforts for football and men's basketball. He also served as Director of Player Development and Community Relations under Head Coach James Franklin, and as an adjunct professor for Penn State's College of Communications. He spent more than a decade in radio as an on-air talent, program director, and national talk-show producer. In addition to his Ru

At Rutgers University, the men’s basketball staff places as much emphasis on each player’s academic success as it does on his athletic achievement. The staff takes an active role in players’ academic progress. Each coach keeps a daily account of their assigned players’ class and tutor schedule, when assignments are due and when tests are approaching, thus offering continued focus and support. As part of the staff’s commitment to academics, the Scarlet Knights have a full-time academic advisor who oversees all areas of the team’s academic life. Assistant Director of Academic Services for Student-Athletes Randi Larson works closely with the student-athletes, coaches and instructors to facilitate and enhance academic progress. Larson’s role with the basketball team includes help with scheduling, study skills and time management plus providing tutors and services necessary for top academic performance. Through effective and constant communication with student-athletes, coaches, instructors, college deans and other university administrators, Larson is able to anticipate the needs of the student-athletes and provide support and structure for the fulfillment of each player’s academic goals. In order to meet the needs of the Scarlet Knights during the season, Larson travels to away games, facilitating study hall while on the road. She also works closely with the Leadership Development and Strategic Partnerships program, which strives to provide growth in four areas: personal enhancem

Richard Campbell enters his seventh season with the Rutgers University sports medicine staff as the athletic trainer for the men’s basketball team. He has sp...

Rutgers men's and women's basketball programs appointed Rob Sullivan as General Manager in November 2025. Sullivan joined the Scarlet Knights after six seasons at Saint Joseph's, including three as general manager for the Hawks' men's basketball program. In his role, Sullivan oversees strategic and operational initiatives including NIL strategy, alumni and donor engagement, game scheduling, and branding, working closely with head coaches Coquese Washington and Steve Pikiell. Sullivan brings expertise in basketball operations and college athletics, including understanding of NIL's importance in recruitment and retention. He began his administrative career at Saint Joseph's as Director of Men's Basketball Operations for 10 seasons before joining Cornerstone Management, a sports and entertainment agency. He returned to Saint Joseph's in 2019 as Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs before transitioning to General Manager. A 2006 Saint Joseph's graduate, Sullivan was a member of the Hawks' men's basketball team that advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2004 and the NIT Championship game in 2005. He was a two-time team award recipient for leadership and spirit and earned honors on both the SJU Athletic Director's and Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Rolls.

Scott Scherer was hired as the Director of Basketball Administration in August 2022 and enters his fourth season in the role and tenth with the Rutgers men’s...

Steve Hayn, who brings over 29 years of collegiate leadership experience—including 17 seasons as a head coach—was elevated to an assistant coaching role with Rutgers men’s basketball heading into the 2023-24 season. After serving as Chief of Staff for two seasons, Hayn returned to the court full-time, working individually with players and leading practice sessions, while maintaining his responsibilities as Chief of Staff. In his dual role, he contributes to recruiting, game planning, scouting, practice coordination, and overall program support. Hayn was first appointed Chief of Staff prior to the 2021-22 season, during which he helped lead the Scarlet Knights to a fourth-place finish in the Big Ten—the highest in school history. In this capacity, he oversaw every aspect of the program, coordinated scheduling, and served as a liaison to the academic advisor. Pikiell on Hayn’s hiring: “After meeting with many qualified candidates during a broad search, the best person for the position was right next door. Steve Hayn has been a successful head coach at the collegiate and high school levels, specializing in the development of big men. His skills and relationships are a perfect fit for our program as we continue our work toward postseason success.” Hayn initially joined Rutgers as an assistant coach on June 4, 2019. A Long Island native, he was named the 2014 Metropolitan Basketball Writers Division II Coach of the Year and previously served as Rutgers’ Senior Advisor for three se

T.J. Thompson enters his fifth season as an assistant coach at Rutgers in 2025-26 and his seventh season overall with the Scarlet Knights. A First Team All-Atlantic 10 selection and four-year starter at George Washington University under head coach Steve Pikiell, Thompson has quickly developed a reputation as one of college basketball’s rising coaching talents. Since joining Rutgers, Thompson has cultivated strong relationships with players and has become an integral part of recruiting, player development, and program growth. During the 2024-25 season, Rutgers recorded its highest-scoring offense in 32 years, averaging 76.6 points per game. In 2023-24, the Scarlet Knights maintained one of the nation’s best homecourt advantages, finishing 12-5 at home with sellouts for every game. In 2022-23, Rutgers became the first team in school history to achieve four consecutive winning seasons and reached postseason play for a third straight year. Thompson played a key role in Rutgers’ return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in consecutive seasons since 1976 during the 2021-22 campaign. He has also established himself as one of Rutgers’ top recruiters, securing the program’s first five-star recruit under Pikiell. Thompson has helped identify talent nationwide, contributing to the recruitment of players including point guard Geo Baker (New Hampshire). Pikiell on Thompson’s hiring: “We are very excited to welcome T.J. and his wife Ilima to the Rutgers family. I was fortunate to c