Rutgers assistant coach Brandin Knight receives contract extension amid interest from Saint Peter’s

Rutgers guard Geo Baker (0) and his mother, Irene, on Senior Day in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The Scarlet Knights beat Penn State, 59-58.

Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi (11) hangs on the rim after a slam dunk against Penn State in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The Scarlet Knights won, 59-58.

Seniors Luke Nathan, Ron Harper Jr., Geo Baker and Ralph Gonzales-Agee on Senior Day after Rutgers beat Penn State in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The Scarlet Knights won, 59-58.

With the score tied 55-55 with 1:42 to play, Rutgers forward Ron Harper Jr. (24) is fouled on this shot by Penn State forward Seth Lundy (1) in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The Scarlet Knights won, 59-58.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Ron Harper Jr. (24) with a dunk off a Penn State turnover during the first half in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell has a moment with guard Caleb McConnell (22) after Rutgers beat Penn State on Senior Day in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The Scarlet Knights won, 59-58.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Steve Pikiell (center) watches as forward Dean Reiber (21) pressures Penn State Nittany Lions guard Jalen Pickett (22) during the first half in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

New Jersery’s First Lady Tammy Murphy and Rutgers Athletic Director Pat Hobbs cheer the Scarlet Knights against Penn State on Senior Day in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Rutgers won, 59-58.

The arena formerly known as the RAC was packed to the gills as for Senior Day against the Penn State Nittany Lions in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The Scarlet Knights won, 59-58.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy was in attendance for between the Rutgers Penn State game at Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

With the score tied 55-55, Rutgers forward Ron Harper Jr. (24) on the line with 1:42 to play against Penn State in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The Scarlet Knights won, 59-58.

The arena formerly known as the RAC was packed to the gills as for Senior Day against the Penn State Nittany Lions in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The Scarlet Knights won, 59-58.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Steve Pikiell (center) watches as forward Dean Reiber (21) pressures Penn State Nittany Lions guard Jalen Pickett (22) during the first half in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

Penn State Nittany Lions guard Sam Sessoms (3) watches as Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell (22) dunks the ball during the first half in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

The arena formerly known as the RAC was packed to the gills as for Senior Day against the Penn State Nittany Lions in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The Scarlet Knights won, 59-58.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Ron Harper Jr. (24) scores in the first half Penn State Nittany Lions in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Geo Baker (0) on the line after he missed a free throw late in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The Scarlet Knights won, 59-58.

Rutgers seniors: Ralph Gonzales-Agee, Luke Nathan, Caleb McConnell, Ron Harper Jr. and Geo Baker are honored with their families on Senior Day in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell (22) on the mic to thank fans after the Scarlet Knights beat Penn State on Senior Day in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Rutgers won, 59-58.

Penn State Nittany Lions guard Sam Sessoms (3) launches the potential game-winning shot over Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Geo Baker (0) as time runs out in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The shot did not fall and the Scarlet Knights won, 59-58.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Dean Reiber (21) puts home an alley-pop dunk early in the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

Rutgers dance team perform during a timeout in the men’t basketball game between the Scarlet Knights and the Penn State Nittany Lions in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

Penn State Nittany Lions forward John Harrar (21) grabs the ball after a first half scramble on the floor against Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi (11) during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The Scarlet Knights won, 59-58.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Geo Baker (0) found Penn State Nittany Lions guard Sam Sessoms (3) after Sessoms forced Baker to turn the ball over during the first half in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

The Rutgers student section does its thing on Senior Day against the Penn State Nittany Lions in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The Scarlet Knights won, 59-58.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (left) speaks with Rutgers basketball great Hollis Copeland during halftime of the Rutgers - Penn State men’s basketball game in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

Rutgers football recruit Chase Bisontis of Don Bosco Prep in the stands with others during the men’s basketball game between the Scarlet Knights and Penn State in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Steve Pikiell on the sideline late in the second half as Penn State ties the game in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The Scarlet Knights won, 59-58.

The arena formerly known as the RAC was packed to the gills as for Senior Day against the Penn State Nittany Lions in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The Scarlet Knights won, 59-58.

Penn State guard Jalen Pickett (22) blocks this shot by Rutgers guard Paul Mulcahy (4) during the second half in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The Scarlet Knights won, 59-58.

Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi (11) hangs on the rim after a slam dunk during the second half against Penn State in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The Scarlet Knights won, 59-58.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Ron Harper Jr. (right) and his little brother, Dylan, on Senior Day in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The Scarlet Knights beat Penn State, 59-58.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Ron Harper Jr. (24) and his family pose for a photo with head coach Steve Pikiell (left) and athletic director Pat Hobbs (right) on Senior Day in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

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Steve Pikiell is keeping his highly sought after assistant coach at his side.

Rutgers associate head coach Brandin Knight on Tuesday signed a contract extension with the program through the end of the 2023-24 season, according to an employment contract obtained by NJ Advance Media through an open records request.

Knight received a $195,000 dollar raise and is set to earn $600,000 in the 2022-23 season. That will increase to $625,000 in the 2023-24 season. Knight, who was the highest-paid assistant on Pikiell’s staff, earned $405,000 in the 2021-22 season.

The extension comes as Knight was a target of other openings.

According to NJ Advance Media contributor Adam Zagoria, Knight was targeted by Saint Peter’s as the replacement for his cousin Shaheen Holloway, who led the Peacocks to a historic Elite Eight appearance before being named the head coach at his alma mater Seton Hall.

Given that Holloway made “around $250,000″ in Jersey City last season, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Saint Peter’s was highly unlikely to match Knight’s new salary.

If Knight wants to leave Piscataway during the life of this new contract, there is not much of a barrier to keep him in Piscataway. He would need to pay a buyout of $50,000 if he were to leave Rutgers for “another Power 5 Assistant Coaching position,” per the contract. There is no buyout listed in the contract if Knight were to leave for a head coaching position.

Knight also received a significant upgrade in his annual performance incentives. They are as follows:

- National Invitation Tournament post season appearance: $5,000 (+2,500 from last contract)

- Conference regular season title (or share of title): $10,000 (+$7,500)

- Conference tournament championship: $10,000 (+$5000)

- NCAA Tournament first round appearance: $10,000 (+$5000)

- NCAA Tournament regional round appearance: $10,000 (+$7,500)

- NCAA Elite Eight appearance $10,000 (+$7,500)

- NCAA Final Four appearance $20,000 (+$17,500)

- NCAA Tournament national semifinal win $20,000 (+$17,500)

- NCAA Tournament national championship $30,000 (+$20,000)

Knight is a member of Pikiell’s original coaching staff at Rutgers, joining him in Piscataway in April of 2016 ahead of the 2016-17 season. The Scarlet Knights reached two consecutive NCAA Tournaments for the second time in program history in Knight’s six seasons alongside Pikiell.

His previous coaching experience prior includes a 10-year run at Pitt beginning in 2006. He was a point guard for the Panthers from 1999 to 2003.

Knight, a native of East Orange, N.J., has advanced to 11 NCAA Tournaments as either a staffer (nine) or student-athlete (two), including four Sweet 16 appearances.

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Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com.

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