Entering his ninth year as the head coach of the Rutgers football program, Greg Schiano has created what he started out to accomplish - build one of the top programs in the nation on a rock solid foundation - both on the field and in the classroom. Still, the ultimate goal remains the same for Schiano since the day he accepted on Dec. 1, 2000 - to win the National Championship.

The longest-tenured coach in the Big East, Schiano has guided the Scarlet Knights to new heights throughout his career "One the Banks" - including three consecutive bowl victories for the first time in school history last December with Rutgers' 29-23 victory over NC State in the PapaJohns.com Bowl.

Schiano, the 2006 National Coach of the Year and Big East Coach of the Year, has been the architect of transforming the Rutgers program into one of the nation's best. The Scarlet Knights earned their first national top-10 ranking in 2006 and won 11 games for the second time in school history. Senior Brian Leonard was also the recipient of the Draddy Trophy in 2006.

"All along we have said the same thing," said Schiano. "What we're doing here, we're just scratching the surface. The sky is the limit here at Rutgers and we're going to do great things. We've recruited really great young guys in the program and this is home. The same things I said at this podium the first time in this room that were true then are still true now. This state and the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas have all started to come together here and that's only going to get better. It's something that's never been tapped, so to me, this is a great situation."

A New Jersey native who returned to his roots to take over the reigns of the Rutgers football program, Schiano has led the Scarlet Knights throughout his tenure with energy, passion and boundless enthusiasm that have been the hallmarks of his career.

Schiano's impact as head coach is evidenced in all aspects of the Rutgers football program. Schiano and his staff have continued to upgrade the level of talent by recruiting student-athletes with outstanding athleticism and great character, all part of the building process that continues to result in on-field success.

Rutgers now boasts one of the nation's finest football complexes, highlighted by an expansive strength and conditioning facility, a state-of-the-art training room and academic support facilities which include classrooms, study rooms and computer labs.

Schiano, who grew up in Wyckoff and graduated from Ramapo High School, took over as the 27th head coach of the nation's oldest college football program on Dec. 1, 2000. On that day, Schiano proclaimed his vision of excellence for Rutgers football. "This program will be built on a rock foundation," he said. "It will take longer than building it on stilts, but when it's built, it will be built forever. This is what I started; this is where I was striving to get back to. I'm thrilled to be here. It's time."