Even as a New York Post report surfaced indicating that Rutgers and UConn could join the ACC within three weeks, Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano is trying to downplay the hype.
“My wife asked me [about it],” Schiano said Monday on the Big East conference call in advance of Saturday’s game against Ohio University.
“I’m getting it from you, my wife, everybody. Like I said, it doesn’t matter because if we’re not ready to play, all this stuff is not going to matter. We got to be ready to play and we’re playing a very good football team.”
Schiano said he is deferring all questions about Rutgers’ potential future to athletic director Tim Pernetti.
“My main focus, my only focus, other than brief conversations with Tim is Ohio,” Schiano said. “I trust Tim and our administration to do what’s best for Rutgers and that’s what they’re doing right now.”
Rutgers could end up as the 15th or 16th team in the ACC. They could join the Big Ten. Or they could remain in the Big East and hope for the best.
Whatever happens, Schiano says he’s confident about what lies ahead, including how to handle recruits.
“We’re going to be fine,” he said. “Let me say Rutgers is going to be fine. Don’t worry about that. The rest of it is not going to get talked about. I’ll address it if there’s a need to address it with anyone in particular inside or outside of our program that affects our program.”
