REPORT: Rutgers & WBB coach Stringer reach terms of contract extenson

A report from nj.com’s Ryan Dunleavy is saying that Rutgers Women’s Basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer has been given a contract extension by the university.

Stringer’s contract was set to expire next May, and AD Pat Hobbs has been working for at least some 17 months to provide her with an extension. According to the report, the new contract will begin immediately, creating a three year extension.

The women’s program, once the star of Rutgers’ athletics, had fallen on hard times in recent years. Despite two Final Fours on her RU resume, the last appearance in the NCAA Tournament was 2015. Some argued that, in addition to a lack of facilities, the lack of a contract solidifying Stringer’s position was impacting her recruiting. This alleviates that.

At the time the negotiations began back in 2016, Hobbs commented, "Certainly anyone looking at this from the outside should view this as a commitment to Coach. We want to provide her the resources she needs not just contractually but resources like facilities for the program, and we're well on our way to accomplishing that.''

The Knights were just 6-24 last year, a brutally long season that saw the unexpected redshirting of Tyler Scaife, an action that severely impacted veteran leadership. But Stringer has practically remade her team with an incredible seven players who will suit up for Rutgers for the first time: RS Soph Ciani Cryor, grad transfer Nigia Greene, junior transfer Caitlin Jenkins, soph transfer Arella Guirantes, RS junior transfer Stasha Carey, and freshmen Mael Gilles and Tekia Mack.

The contract is expected to be heavily incentive-laden, although there is also the expectation that Stringer will receive an immediate raise. No details were announced although the Board of Governors did hold an emergency meeting to approve the deal.

There have been those on fan boards and in other comments who have called for Stringer’s removal. The cry was that she had reached her prime and passed it. Clearly, Pat Hobbs respects her position as one of the all time great coaches, and wants her to finish her career at Rutgers. With only 23 wins standing between Stringer and the cachet of 1,000 wins, this contract should see her through that milestone.