Will Gilkison named 2020 FootballScoop Operations Director of the Year

The 2020 college football season was the most difficult one in recent memory. Players had to endure a worldwide pandemic with COVID-19 while dealing adjusting to virtual classes, testing, and quarantining.

Thanks in large part to Will Gilkison, the Rutgers football program completed its entire 2020 schedule, playing all nine games in nine consecutive weeks.

Gilkison was acknowledged for the job that he did to make that a reality. On Thursday, FootballScoop named Gilkison its Operations Director of the Year, presented by AstroTurf., FootballScoop announces awards annually to acknowledge the most outstanding coaches and personnel in college football. The winner is selected by previous winners from prior years in the same category.

Gilkison is a former four-year letter winner for the Scarlet Knights who joined the program at the start of Greg Schiano’s first tenure at RU. He was a captain on the 2005 team that played in the Insight Bowl.

After his playing days, Gilkison joined the player development staff at Rutgers. He has previously held the title of director of football operations and director of external operations. Today, Gilkison oversees the day-to-day operations of the football program.

As associate athletic director for the football program, Gilkison is responsible for handling logistical and budgetary issues. He manages team travel, organizes preseason camps, and acts as the team’s liaison to other athletic offices.

“Gilk is the best I’ve ever worked with,” Greg Schiano told FootballScoop. “He was part of my second recruiting class here at Rutgers. He actually committed the first day he could and he has been a Rutgers man ever since. No body works harder than Gilk. He embodies everything we teach. Hard work, leadership, determination, discipline. Gilk is Rutgers football.”

Gilkison is entering his 20th year with the program and it’s clear Rutgers is fortunate to have him.