Tony Sopran... Greg Schiano

This site reported and praised Rutgers just the other day for their aggressive stance on their stadium expansion. Rutgers, however, does not deserve those kind words.

"Five months after agreeing to terms that will pay him as much as $2 million annually with bonuses, Rutgers University football coach Greg Schiano quietly signed a side agreement providing for an additional $250,000 a year from the university in payments made through a vendor.
In the addendum to his contract, dated July 2, 2007, the university arranged for Nelligan Sports Marketing, the exclusive marketing agent for Rutgers, to pay the coach the additional $250,000 -- keeping the payments off the school's payroll"

Well then... It appears that being one of the highest paid officials in the state is not enough these days. Another $250,000 off the books seems a little absurd... but it doesn't end there.

"The additional compensation was one of three contract changes not made public last year. The athletic department also agreed to raise its budget for assistant coach salaries and gave Schiano unlimited use of jet and helicopter services for university business."

I love the term "university business." That could mean absolutely anything. Recruiting trip to Florida? Yup! Vacation in the Caribbean? Why Not!

We are talking about tax payers money here. As a resident of New Jersey (and a RU fan) this is not exactly what you want to hear. Although I'd much rather it be something like this than athletes being paid off or cheating in the classroom.

Oh and the stadium expansion is over budget $18 million. Now the option of scaling back the project is being considered and what went from a 13,000 seat increase as well as new sound systems and all that jazz may be out the window. Also in Schiano's contract is a clause that says if the expansion isn't completed on time he can opt out of his contract.

Way to go Rutgers.