Steve Pikiell Biography – Rutgers Scarlet Knights Head Coach

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Steve Pikiell Bio

Steve Pikiell is the head coach of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Image Source: Social Media.

  • Birth DateNovember 21, 1967
  • Birth Name Stephen Christopher Pikiell
  • Age 57
  • Also Known As Steve Pikiell
  • Height 6' 4"
  • Father's Name Joseph Pikiell
  • Mother's Name Mary Faith Pikiell
  • Birth Place Bristol, Connecticut, USA
  • Birth Sign Scorpio
  • Nationality American
  • Profession Basketball Coach
  • Partner Kate Pikiell
  • Relationship Status Married
  • Eye Color Grey
  • Hair Color Grey
  • Children Brooke Pikiell, John Patrick Pikiell, Olivia Pikiell, Kevin Pikiell
  • Education Bachelor's Degree in Finance
  • Twitter https://twitter.com/coachpikiell
  • Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Pikiell

Coaches help athletes with advice on how to sharpen their skills. To perform well in any sport, coaches assist players and provide mentorship. Steve Pikiell is one of the renowned basketball coaches. He has served on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights men’s basketball team since 2016.

The sports personality also enjoyed a successful playing career. Thus, in this brief biography, we’ll learn more about how Steve transitioned from a basketball player to be a head coach of a famous college team.

One of Nine Children

The head coach was born Stephen Christopher Pikiell on November 21, 1967, in Bristol, Connecticut, United States. Steve Pikiell’s parents are Mary Faith Pikiell and Joseph Pikiell. Likewise, his mom was a teacher in Bristol parochial schools, and his father was a longtime vice president of his alma mater Central Connecticut State. Unfortunately, his dad passed away in 2014, and his mom in 2019.

Furthermore, Steve grew up alongside his eight siblings, Tricia Pikiell, Helen Pikiell, Paul Pikiell, John Pikiell, Joan Pikiell, Tim Pikiell, Jane M. O’Brien, and Anne Pikiell. Joan is a School Sister of Notre Dame who teaches at a Catholic school in Baltimore.

Talking about Steve’s education, he attended St. Paul Catholic High School. Later, he received a Bachelor’s degree in Finance in 1990 from the University of Connecticut.

Also Read: More About Ross Bagley’s Biography 

Steve Pikiell Net Worth And Career

The Connecticut-born coach started his career as an assistant coach for Uconn Huskies in 1991. He has not stopped since then. Following that, he worked for various teams and has undoubtedly earned a lot. Thus, Steve Pikiell’s net worth must also be immense.

Pikiell played point guard for the University of Connecticut Huskies from 1987 to 1991, serving as team captain twice and earning four letters. Throughout his playing career, he appeared in 106 games. As the captain of his college team, Steve led Connecticut to win its first Big East title and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight. For his outstanding contributions to UConn athletics, he was given the UConn Club Senior Athlete Award in 1991.

The UConn alumnus started serving as a coach after his graduation. He worked as an assistant coach for New Haven Skyhawks, Yale Bulldogs, Central Connecticut Blue Devils, and George Washington Colonials between 1992 to 2005. He then became the head coach for Stony Brook in 2005.

Later in 2016, he was assigned as a head coach for Rutgers. So, now let’s take a look at Steve Pikiell’s salary with the team over the years:

Year School Total Pay School Pay
2022 Rutgers $2,600,000 $2,600,000
2021 Rutgers $2,344,200 $2,500,000
2020 Rutgers $1,707,964 $1,700,000
2019 Rutgers $1,600,000 $1,600,000
2018 Rutgers $1,600,000 $1,600,000

Table Source: USA Today

The head coach signed a four-year contract extension worth $16 million in 2022. Steve Pikiell’s salary is $2.6M this season which will increase to $3.75M in 2025-26. He will earn $3.85 million in 2026-27, $3.95M in 2027-28, $4.05M in 2028-29, and $4.15M in 2029-30.

Thanks to such massive earnings, Steve Pikiell’s net worth must be in multi-millions.

Sandy Brondello is another basketball coach with massive earnings.

Is Happily Married

The Rutgers head coach is a private person who likes to keep his personal life under wraps. But, it is known that Steve Pikiell’s wife is Kate Pikiell. He hasn’t said much about his partner. Moreover, the former basketball player is also barely seen on social media sites and hardly ever updates about his spouse. The couple may not feel at ease discussing their private affairs in public.

Nevertheless, Steve and his wife are a giver, as they donated $50K to Stony Brook University in 2012. Their donation’s $25,000 was set for the men’s basketball program and $25,000 to Stony Brook Long Island Children’s Hospital.

Proud Father Of Four

The 6′ 4″ tall coach and his partner are blessed with four children, Brooke PikiellJohn Patrick Pikiell, Olivia Pikiell, and Kevin Pikiell. Likewise, Steve Pikiell’s daughter, Brooke, played on the Northwestern women’s basketball team and majored in Psychology.

Steve Pikiell Children
Steve Pikiell is the proud father of four children. Image Source: Kate Pikiell’s Twitter.

On the other hand, Steve Pikiell’s son, John, attends Rutgers University, whereas his other daughter, Olivia, plays lacrosse at the University of North Carolina. Overall, the basketball coach seems to be living a wonderful life with his family. His career is also going strong and he still has a bright future ahead.

We hope Steve Pikiell earns more fame and fortune in the upcoming days.

Trivia And Facts

  • His name meaning is crown.
  • He became RU’s leading head coach on the all-time ranked wins list (13) in 2021-2022.
  • Steve was ranked as an underpaid head coach by USA TODAY in 2022.