Rutgers Athletic Director Pat Hobbs Resigns For Health Reasons

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Rutgers athletic director Patrick Hobbs abruptly resigned Friday, Rutgers University confirmed.

His resignation was effective immediately.

Hobbs is stepping down due to health-related reasons, a university spokeswoman said. Hobbs said in a letter to Rutgers University president Jonathan Holloway he has been diagnosed with unspecified cardiac issues.

"It is with great sadness that I am resigning as Athletic Director of Rutgers University effective immediately," wrote Hobbs in his letter Friday. "After meeting with my cardiac team this week and having just been apprised of the results of my latest round of testing, it is clear that I can not continue to serve as Athletic Director given the requirements of the position. I recognize this is not the ideal timeframe to depart, however other factors need to take precedence."

"Earlier today Pat Hobbs, our Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Rutgers–New Brunswick, informed me that due to health-related reasons he will be resigning, effective immediately," said Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway. "Pat will be sharing a message shortly with the Scarlet Knights community to provide more information about his decision. I know you share my best wishes for Pat as he prioritizes his health."

Deputy Athletic Director Ryan Pisarri will serve as interim athletic director, said Holloway. A search for a new permanent athletic director will begin as soon as possible, said the Rutgers president.

The Rutgers' Board of Governors had just extended Hobbs' contract and he was going to be paid as athletic director through 2028. His gross pay yearly is $1.3 million, the Bergen Record reported.

Hobbs arrived at Rutgers in 2015 and helped the school navigate its transition into the Big Ten.

"I want to thank Pat for his remarkable nine-year tenure at Rutgers, during which we have seen our men’s and women’s teams become leaders and successfully compete in the Big Ten, both on and off the field," said Holloway.

"My tenure as Athletic Director has been the highlight of my professional career," said Hobbs in his resignation letter. "Almost every program has seen success not seen in decades. Rutgers had nine teams appear in the national rankings during the 2021-22 season, the most programsranked during the same season in school history. We are competing at the highest levels and vying for Big Ten Championships. I would have loved nothing more than to be on staff as the football team this fall attempt to make the playoffs, to see our men’s basketball program, including Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, take the basketball program to new heights this winter, and to see all of our teams continue to excel."

"I am aware that these are challenging days for universities, and upon reflection acknowledge that there were some decisions I made that were not always without error, however I do believe I can walk away knowing I made a positive contribution to the Rutgers Athletic program," Hobbs ended his letter. "I will continue to cheer them on as they write the greatest chapter in Rutgers Athletics history."

Hobbs previously worked as Seton Hall athletic director and Seton Hall Law School dean, CBS Sports reported.