Vivian Stringer extended at Rutgers through 2026

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Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame coach C. Vivian Stringer is a legend at Rutgers University and she isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. It was announced on Wednesday that Stringer’s contract has been extended through 2026.

Stringer’s extension is worth $1 million in 2021-22 and adds up to $5.5 million combined over the five years not counting performance incentives and retention bonuses, which are included.

“Rutgers is family, and I’m proud to be given the opportunity to continue a tradition of excellence with the next generation of Scarlet Knights,” Stringer said. “This is what I love to do, and I do it today with as much care and passion as when I began. I am grateful to our administration, Director of Athletics Pat Hobbs, Deputy Athletic Director Sarah Baumgartner, and President Jonathan Holloway for their continued support as we seek to win championships while developing, mentoring, and teaching young women for life in and around the game of basketball.”

Rutgers went on a notable nine-game winning streak to end the 2020-21 regular season after a five-week COVID pause. It earned a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament and had high hopes of a deep run before falling to BYU in the first round. The program’s winning percentage over the past three seasons is .707.

In her 27 years at Rutgers, Stringer has made it to the Big Dance 17 times with two Final Four appearances and a national championship game appearance in 2007. She has been to the Final Four with three different teams and in 2018 became the fifth coach and the first Black coach to reach 1,000 wins.

“Coach Stringer has had an immeasurable impact on the lives of the many women who have come through our program over the years,” said Rutgers athletic director Pat Hobbs. “She is a giant in the world of college athletics and beyond. Her many accomplishments – 1,000 wins, Final Four appearances, being inducted into several Halls of Fame, and countless awards and honors speak for themselves. She is an inspiration to all of us and we are proud to have her build on that legacy and continue to inspire future Scarlet Knights.”

Rutgers has graduated Arella Guirantes, who is a projected first-round pick in Thursday’s WNBA Draft and freshman star Diamond Johnson has transferred to NC State. However, the team adds No. 77 HoopGurlz recruit Kierra Sanderlin from San Antonio.

The Rutgers women’s basketball team has had a 100 percent graduation rate the past two years and had six players make the Academic All-Big Ten list this year.