PISCATAWAY, N.J. – It isn’t just a bye week for the players in the Rutgers football program. Coaches get a bit of a break this week too.
And for head coach Greg Schiano, it means he set a personal record for sleep.
Schiano, who has an unrelenting personal work ethic, acknowledges the need for a mental and physical break this week. With Rutgers 6-2 (3-2 Big Ten) and bowl-eligible for the first time since 2014, this does not appear to be a week where the players or staff are resting on their accomplishments.
Instead, it is a time to get right and get healthy, both mentally as well as physically. Even without an opponent to prepare for, the coaching staff will be busy this weekend.
“You know, actually you go recruiting. So we’ll practice Thursday and then everyone will hit the road,” Schiano said following practice on Tuesday.
“But I want to make sure that our staff gets a little time so they’ll get they’ll get a day, a whole day. How about that? But yeah, they work really hard. And we all do. It’s part of the business.”
The players will get some time, which is important due to their academic workload. And with a return to the field on Nov. 4 against No. 3 Ohio State, it is certainly a good opportunity for Rutgers to take an extended look at a team with national championship ambitions.
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But even the always-grinding Schiano admits to taking a bit of a break this week
“I slept great. On Sunday night, I’ve slept more than I’ve slept in the last 10 years,” Schiano said.
“And then yesterday, I slept again. So I’m good to go for another few months now.”