Rutgers rewards Stringer with seven-year contract extension

The contract will give Stringer a base salary of $450,000 with additional compensation and incentives that could bring the total contract value of $950,000 per year. The new contract puts Stringer among the five highest paid coaches in her profession. Tennessee’s Pat Summitt, Texas’ Gail Goestenkors and Connecticut’s Geno Auriemma are the top three paid coaches.

"There is no question this contract is well-deserved and reflects the success of the program and its status among the nation’s elite," said Rutgers director of athletics Robert E. Mulcahy III. "We are proud of what Coach Stringer has accomplished at Rutgers. She is committed to the total development of our student-athletes, and the overall performance of the program during her tenure is a testament to that commitment."

The contract comes after Rutgers’ improbable run as a No. 4 seed to the national championship game in Cleveland, where it eventually fell to Tennessee.

The domino effect from that loss gripped the sports nation for days, beginning with Imus’ inappropriate remarks referring to the Rutgers players. Imus was first suspended and eventually fired for his remarks, while also meeting face- to-face with the Scarlet Knights to offer an apology.

With the controversy in the past, Rutgers turns to the future with Stringer, whose original contract had one year remaining.

"We are very proud of what Coach Stringer has accomplished with the women’s basketball program, both on and off the court," said Rutgers president Richard L. McCormick. "She is a mentor and a role model, and we are thrilled she will finish her amazing career at Rutgers."