HOUSTON — Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell opted to stay within his UConn family and hire Karl Hobbs as his associate head coach.
A former UConn starting point guard (1980-84) and captain, Hobbs just finished his 13th season as a UConn assistant coach in two separate stints: 1993-2001 and 2011-2016. During 2011-12, he served as the Director of Basketball Administration). In between, he spent 10 years as the head coach at George Washington University, directing the Colonials to 166 wins, two Atlantic 10 Tournament titles and three straight NCAA Tournament berths.
“I’m a lucky guy to have had the chance to return to my alma mater and enjoy such great success,” Hobbs said. “While at UConn, I had the opportunity to be a part of two incredible eras of national championship basketball with legendary coach Jim Calhoun and with Kevin Ollie, who is also a phenomenal head coach. Not many people can say that they have been fortunate enough to leave and come back and win again so, I’m incredibly grateful. I’m also very appreciative of the entire UConn family, which has given me so much as a former student, an alumnus, and now as a coaching professional.
“I am moving on to another very competitive program at Rutgers where I will be able to coach alongside my longtime friend and fellow Husky alum, Steve Pikiell. As always, I want to bring out the best in each student/athlete and help them work hard to be their best. I am excited about the opportunity and look forward to taking my expertise to Rutgers.”
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