NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Rutgers head men's basketball coach Steve Pikiell announced Wednesday he has cancer.
Pikiell announced he will be stepping back from coaching this fall and winter to focus on treatment. Assistant coach Brandin Knight will serve as the interim head coach.
"A couple of months ago, after not feeling 100 percent, I visited a team of doctors at RWJBarnabas Health. After undergoing various tests, I received the difficult news that I have cancer," Pikiell announced here Wednesday on the Rutgers website. "I am incredibly grateful to my team of doctors at RWJBarnabas Health and Memorial Sloan Kettering for guiding and supporting us through this difficult time. After a successful surgery, my doctors and I have a kick-ass game plan to finish treatment."
"I will still be involved with the team to the best of my ability as I navigate the challenges of the season through treatment," he said.
Pikiell, 58, enters his 11th season at Rutgers, and his 161 wins are third-most in program history, according to the New York Times. Rutgers is part of the Big Ten college athletic conference.
"On behalf of the Rutgers Athletics family, I want to express our love and support for Coach Pikiell, Kate and their entire family as he fights cancer," said Rutgers Athletics Director Keli Zinn. "Those of us who know Steve, know the determination and strength he brings to everything he does."
"There is no set timeline for Coach Pikiell's full return, but we look forward to the day when he is back on our sideline," she added.
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