New Brunswick, NJ—-Rutgers has locked in its new women’s basketball leader, agreeing to a five-year contract with head coach Gary Redus II that runs through the 2030–31 season and totals $4 million in salary, according to records obtained Tuesday.
Redus will begin with a base salary of $750,000, with annual increases of $25,000 built into the deal. The figure represents a major jump from the $305,000 he earned last season at LSU, though it is slightly below what former head coach Coquese Washington was scheduled to make before her dismissal. Washington had been set to earn $825,000 in the upcoming season.
At Redus’ introductory press conference, athletic director Keli Zinn addressed the program’s recent struggles while emphasizing a renewed commitment to returning Rutgers to national prominence. Speaking inside the RWJ Barnabas Health Athletic Performance Center—where banners highlight the program’s past success—Zinn made clear that the goal is to restore that legacy.
She pointed to Rutgers’ history as one of the nation’s premier programs and stressed a forward-looking vision centered on competitiveness, strong recruiting, and player development.
Redus, 36, steps into his first head coaching role after building a reputation as a top recruiter and assistant. He was part of LSU’s national championship staff in 2023 and previously coached at SMU, Vanderbilt, Delta State, and West Georgia. Before entering coaching, he played professionally overseas for four years.
Despite his résumé, expectations from the fanbase are straightforward: win. Rutgers has struggled in recent seasons, failing to appear in the AP Top 25 since 2020–21 and totaling just 42 wins over the past four years following the retirement of Hall of Fame coach C. Vivian Stringer. Once a flagship program for the athletic department, the team has faded from national relevance.
Redus made it clear he intends to change that immediately. He emphasized the urgency of rebuilding the roster, noting that in today’s transfer portal era, rapid turnarounds are possible. He also highlighted the program’s history, facilities, and institutional support as key selling points in recruiting.
The contract provides significant resources for staff as well. Redus will have at least $850,000 allocated for assistant coaches and an additional $275,000 for support staff, with flexibility—pending approval from the athletic director—to distribute those funds as needed.
The deal also includes buyout provisions. If Redus leaves early for another job, he must pay 25% of his remaining salary. For example, departing after two seasons would require a payment of $618,725. If Rutgers terminates him before the contract ends, the school would owe 90% of his remaining salary, subject to offsets if he takes another position.
Performance incentives are also built into the agreement. Individually, Redus can earn bonuses such as $20,000 for National Coach of the Year and $10,000 for Big Ten Coach of the Year honors. Team-based incentives— which can stack—include $25,000 for achievements like a Big Ten regular season or tournament title, NCAA Tournament appearances, and advancing to the Round of 32 or Sweet 16. A trip to the Elite Eight would earn a $50,000 bonus.
Redus framed his arrival as the start of a fresh chapter. He said he’s looking for players ready to embrace the challenge of rebuilding and not afraid to lead that transformation. His message was simple: Rutgers is entering a new era, and he expects to move forward quickly.
