This story was originally published by Dead Spin
Pat Hobbs resigned from his position as Rutgers’ athletic director, multiple outlets reported Friday, while Ryan Pisarri will take over the post on an interim basis.
Hobbs had been the Big Ten’s longest-tenured active athletic director after taking over at Rutgers in 2015. His contract ran through 2028.
The 64-year-old Hobbs cited health concerns for his sudden departure in an email to school president Jonathan Holloway.
“After meeting with my cardiac team this week and having just been apprised of the results of my latest round of testing, it is clear that I can not continue to serve as Athletic Director given the requirements of the position,” Hobbs wrote.
“I recognize this is not the ideal timeframe to depart, however other factors need to take precedence.”
Hobbs played a role in the resurgence of Rutgers men’s basketball when he hired current head coach Steve Pikiell in 2016 from Stony Brook.
Pikiell guided the Scarlet Knights to the NCAA Tournament in 2021 and 2022, the program’s first back-to-back tournament bids since 1975-76.
Hobbs also brought back football coach Greg Schiano, who left Rutgers after the 2011 season to coach the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while later serving on the staff at Ohio State.
The Scarlet Knights have gone 19-28 with a 9-27 mark in Big Ten play since Schiano returned in 2020. They went 7-6 last year to notch their first winning season since 2014.
Hobbs addressed the school’s athletic staff in an internal note.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve with you. I look forward to enjoying all your success this season and in the years ahead,” he said.
Pisarri, 40, has worked with Rutgers’ athletic staff since 2011. He most recently served as deputy athletic director.
–Field Level Media
