DONE: Rutgers depart another highly rated profile from his contract
Rutgers Athletic Director Pat Hobbs resigned on Friday, citing health concerns as the reason for his departure after nine years with the school. His resignation comes just three weeks before the start of a much-anticipated football season for the Scarlet Knights. Ryan Pisarri, the Deputy Athletic Director and Chief of Staff, will serve as the interim Athletic Director.
In an email to Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway, the 64-year-old Hobbs explained that his recent cardiac evaluations made it clear he could no longer meet the demands of the position. “I understand the timing is not ideal, but my health must take priority,” Hobbs wrote.
Hobbs joined Rutgers in 2015, a year after the school entered the Big Ten, having previously served as a dean at Seton Hall’s law school. In an email to university leaders, Holloway expressed gratitude for Hobbs’ contributions, noting the success of Rutgers’ athletic teams under his leadership.
During his tenure, Hobbs’ base salary was set at a minimum of $635,000, with adjustments to match the median salary of other Big Ten athletic directors, according to his contract. “Serving as Athletic Director has been the pinnacle of my career,” Hobbs wrote. “Our collective accomplishments and the future achievements I believe Rutgers will continue to pursue should fill us with pride. Nearly every program has experienced success not seen in decades.”
Among Hobbs’ significant achievements were the hiring of Steve Pikiell, who revitalized Rutgers’ men’s basketball program and led them to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2021 and 2022, and the return of Greg Schiano as football coach in 2020, leading the team to its first winning season since 2014 and a victory in the Pinstripe Bowl. In 2022, Hobbs also appointed Coquese Washington to succeed C. Vivian Stringer as the women’s basketball coach.
Hobbs oversaw numerous facilities projects, including the construction of a new football practice facility. However, his tenure also included challenges, such as navigating allegations of a toxic culture within the softball program in 2019.
Rutgers’ athletic success peaked in the 2021-22 season, with nine teams earning national rankings, a program record. The men’s lacrosse team reached the NCAA Final Four for the first time, women’s soccer earned a No. 1 seed and a trip to the College Cup, and the wrestling team sent seven competitors to the NCAA championships.
“We are competing at the highest levels and striving for Big Ten Championships,” Hobbs wrote. “I would have loved to stay on staff to witness the football team’s playoff run this fall, our men’s basketball program’s success, and the continued excellence of all our teams.”