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Rutgers basketball coach Pikiell shares cancer diagnosis, Knight to fill in

ESPN Wednesday 09 September 2026, 19:14 UTC By Jeff Borzello 2 min read
Key Points

Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell, a Division I coach for 35 years, has been diagnosed with cancer, he announced Wednesday. There is no set timetable for Pikiell's full return to the sideline, athletic director Keli Zinn said, and associate head coach Brandin Knight will serve as the interim head coach in his stead. "A couple of months ago, after not feeling 100%, I visited a team of doctors at RWJBarnabas Health," Pikiell said in a statement.

Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell, a Division I coach for 35 years, has been diagnosed with cancer, he announced Wednesday. There is no set timetable for Pikiell's full return to the sideline, athletic director Keli Zinn said, and associate head coach Brandin Knight will serve as the interim head coach in his stead. "A couple of months ago, after not feeling 100%, I visited a team of doctors at RWJBarnabas Health," Pikiell said in a statement. "After undergoing various tests, I received the difficult news that I have cancer. I am incredibly grateful to my team of doctors at RWJBarnabas Health and Memorial Sloan Kettering for guiding and supporting us through this difficult time. After a successful surgery, my doctors and I have a kick-ass game plan to finish treatment. "I will still be involved with the team to the best of my ability as I navigate the challenges of the season through treatment. I have great confidence in Coach Knight, the rest of the talented staff, and our exceptional student-athletes. I know they will do an amazing job leading our program when I'm not able to. Just as I ask my team to fight and embrace challenges head-on, I'm going to attack cancer the same way. With the support of my doctors, my family, and now Rutgers Nation, I am confident we will be victorious." Pikiell took over at Rutgers in 2016, leading the Scarlet Knights to the NCAA tournament in 2021 and 2022 -- the program's first NCAA tournament appearances since 1991. He won the Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year award in 2020 after guiding Rutgers to a 20-win season; the Scarlet Knights were on their way to the NCAA tournament prior to its cancellation. In 10 seasons at Rutgers, Pikiell is 161-160. "On behalf of the Rutgers Athletics family, I want to express our love and support for Coach Pikiell, Kate, and their entire family as he fights cancer," Zinn said in a statement. "Those of us who know Steve, know the determination and strength he brings to everything he does. I know he will bring that same spirit to every treatment and every day ahead. We are grateful to Coach Knight for his willingness to step up during this challenging time and to our entire staff for their great care and compassion for Coach and our student-athletes." Prior to becoming Rutgers head coach, Pikiell spent 11 years as the head coach at Stony Brook, leading the Seawolves to four America East regular-season championships and an NCAA tournament appearance in 2016. He previously spent time on staffs at George Washington, Central Connecticut and Yale, starting his coaching career in 1991 under Jim Calhoun at UConn, where he played from 1987 to 1991.
Rutgers (ORG) Pikiell (ORG) Knight (ORG) Steve Pikiell (PERSON) Division (ORG) Keli Zinn (PERSON) Brandin Knight (PERSON) RWJBarnabas Health (ORG) Memorial Sloan (PERSON) Kettering (LOCATION) Rutgers Nation (ORG) the Scarlet Knights (ORG) NCAA (ORG) the Jim Phelan National Coach of (ORG) Rutgers Athletics (ORG)
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