Rutgers University Head Women’s Basketball Coach C. Vivian Stringer will remain on sick leave for the duration of the season based upon the recommendation of her physicians. While Coach Stringer’s doctors have assured her of a full recovery, they have urged her to remain on leave. She plans to return to the team and coaching duties later this year.
Assistant coach Tim Eatman will continue to serve as acting head coach in her absence. Eatman assumed interim coaching responsibilities on Feb. 24 and has directed the Scarlet Knights to a 4-1 record. With a 22-9 overall mark and an RPI of 30, Rutgers is a strong candidate to earn an at-large bid to the 2019 NCAA Championship.
“The invitation to play in the NCAA tournament is a crowning achievement for any team,” said Stringer. “It speaks to the great effort on the part of our players and we are certainly hopeful that they will be rewarded on Monday. I am truly disappointed that I will not be able to join them, but I need to listen to my doctors. Being away from my team has been more difficult than I could have imagined, but thankfully they are under the great care of Tim Eatman and my assistants. I wish everyone the best and I will be cheering every step of the way.”
Stringer, who began her Rutgers’ tenure in 1995-96, is the sixth Division I men’s or women’s basketball coach – and the first African-American – to earn 1,000 career victories.
“As I stated prior, nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our people,” said Director of Athletics Pat Hobbs. “We look forward to Coach Stringer continuing her Hall of Fame career and making a positive impact upon the lives of our student-athletes.”
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