Head Coach
Steve Pikiell
Program contact: Brandin Knight, Associate Head Coach
bknight@scarletknights.com
Verified 2026-08-02 from the program's own staff page.
Coach data is provided for recruiting research and should be confirmed with the official athletics website before contact.
Basketball Staff Contacts
Verified 2026-08-02 from this program's own staff page. Staff change during the recruiting cycle, so confirm before sending outreach.
| Name | Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Brandin Knight | Associate Head Coach | bknight@scarletknights.com |
| T.J. Thompson | Assistant Coach | tjthompson@scarletknights.com |
| Jay Young | Assistant Coach | jyoung@scarletknights.com |
| Steve Hayn | Assistant Coach | shayn@scarletknights.com |
| Jake Sullivan | Graduate Assistant | jsullivan@scarletknights.com |
| Scott Scherer | Basketball Staff | sscherer@scarletknights.com |
| David VanDyke | Assistant Athletics Director - Strength and Conditioning | dvandyke@scarletknights.com |
| Richard Campbell | Assistant Director of Athletic Training/ Men's Basketball, M | rcampbell@scarletknights.com |
About Rutgers Scarlet Knights Basketball
Rutgers men's basketball, led by Head Coach Steve Pikiell, competes in the Big Ten Conference and provides student-athletes with elite academic opportunities in New Jersey's most prominent state university system. The program operates within one of college basketball's most competitive conferences, where recruits face top-tier talent daily and develop against programs with national championship aspirations. Coach Pikiell has established a culture centered on player development, accountability, and building winning habits both on and off the court. The Scarlet Knights prioritize creating well-rounded student-athletes who excel academically while competing at the highest collegiate level. Recruits interested in joining a program committed to long-term growth, Big Ten competition, and education should reach out to Rutgers' coaching staff. The program offers a pathway to play meaningful minutes while representing a storied Big Ten institution in one of the nation's most talent-rich regions.
Competing at the D1 level means your recruitment timeline, film quality, and academic eligibility all need to align precisely. Learn how to get recruited to play college basketball and what it really takes to earn a look from a program at this level. Once you're in contact, a strong highlight film is the single most important asset you can send a coaching staff.
What Recruits Should Know About Targeting Rutgers Scarlet Knights
D1 coaches build rosters through consistent evaluation of film, in-person scouting at exposure events, and referrals from trusted coaching networks. Getting on Rutgers Scarlet Knights's radar requires more than sending a generic email. It means having your film, eligibility paperwork, and academic transcripts ready before you make first contact.
Players who receive roster consideration at the D1 level demonstrate improvement over time, not just raw talent at a single event. A structured development program that tracks your progress and connects you with the right coaches can significantly accelerate your recruiting timeline.
Exposure Events That Get You in Front of D1 Coaches
D1 coaches including those at Rutgers Scarlet Knights build their recruiting lists at specific tournaments and showcase events, not by watching YouTube links from players they've never heard of. FCP's schedule is built around the exposure events these coaches actually attend, giving our players the chance to compete in front of decision-makers at the right moment in the recruiting cycle.
FCP players get evaluated at national showcases, coach-attended tournaments, and live events that create direct visibility for programs like Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Learn more about our post-grad program or apply now.
Whether you're a current high school player exploring options through our high school program or a graduate looking for a post-grad year, FCP provides the coaching, competition, and college placement support to help you reach programs like Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Compete at the Level Rutgers Scarlet Knights Scouts
D1 coaches evaluate players in the context of their competition. FCP builds a schedule that puts you in front of the right coaches at the right tournaments, giving your film the competitive context that programs like Rutgers Scarlet Knights need to make a decision.
Coaching contacts compiled by the FCP recruiting staff. Cost and graduation figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-08-13.