Ohio State is replacing their defensive coordinator, now head coach at Rutgers, with someone who once held that very same position.
In one of the more ironic moves of the coaching/coordinator carousel, the Buckeyes are set to name Greg Schiano as the team’s defensive coordinator. Schiano replaces Chris Ash who was announced as the new Rutgers head coach on Monday and will also assume the duties of associate head coach. The news was first reported on Friday by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Former Bucs HC Greg Schiano expected to accept Assoc HC/DC at Ohio State, per source; will replace former OSU DC Chris Ash, new Rutgers HC.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2015
Greg Schiano To Take Over Defensive Coordinator Duties for Ohio State
Schiano headed up the Rutgers program from 2001-2011. He is well-known for having resurrected a perennially moribund football program into a consistent winner in the old Big East. In 2005, the Scarlet Knights made their first bowl appearance since 1978 after a 7-4 regular season record, their first winning season since 1992. The following year, Rutgers started off the season 9-0 and had borderline national championship aspirations before finishing 11-2. Their 37-10 win over Kansas State in the Texas Bowl at the end of the season marked the first bowl win in program history.
After the success he had in New Jersey, which included a record of 49-28 in his final six seasons in charge, Schiano was named head coach of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012. Needless to say, his two seasons in the pros was tumultuous at best. After finishing his inaugural season at 7-9, the Bucs took a major step back in 2013, finishing 4-12. Schiano was fired on December 30, 2013.
The 49-year-old’s move to Columbus will mark his first coaching gig of any kind since his dismissal in Tampa Bay. He will be heading a defense that, although dominant the past two seasons, will be replacing plenty of key components, particularly on their vaunted defensive front. Senior Adolphus Washington will be graduating and junior Joey Bosa is widely expected to declare for the NFL Draft. Together, the two have accounted for 27.5 sacks and 54.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons.
ElevenWarriors.com is reporting that Schiano has been seen around the OSU campus over the past few spring and fall camps. It is believed his recruiting connections up and down the East Coast, which precipitated his turnaround at Rutgers, made him an attractive addition to Urban Meyer’s staff.
The Buckeyes face Notre Dame in the Battlefrog Fiesta Bowl to take place at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ on January 1st at 1 PM ET. The game will be televised on ESPN.
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