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Brian Leonard still has a tremendous amount of respect for Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano. In fact, the former Rutgers star and NFL player thinks Schiano is the most influential coach of his career.
And the attributes that Leonard praises Schiano about will come into play this weekend when Rutgers travels to Northwestern.
Rutgers goes into Saturday at 3-3 but losers of three straight games, making Week 7 almost a must-win game for the Scarlet Knights if they want to make a bowl game. The Wildcats are 2-3.
After three straight losses in the Big Ten, all to teams currently in the top 10 of the latest USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll, Rutgers needs to bounce back this weekend. The Scarlet Knights haven’t made a bowl game since 2014 and Northwestern presents an opportunity for Rutgers to get an important win for the bowl eligibility.
“Coach Schiano is one of the biggest influences in my life,” Leonard told ‘Rutgers Wire.’
“His ability to develop young men is second to none. He instilled a tireless work ethic, leadership, mental toughness, character building, and the ability to fight through adversity into every single one of his players that I carry with me till this day in business and life.
“I have more respect and appreciation for him than any coach I have ever been around.”
Leonard, who was twice First-team All-Big East at Rutgers, was a second-round pick of the née St. Louis Rams in 2007 and spent eight years in the NFL. He is one of the most beloved players in Rutgers football history.
Currently, Leonard is the Co-Founder & Managing Principal of Red Knight Properties, a New Jersey firm that specializes in investment opportunities for multifamily & mixed-use properties.