Thayer Evans of Sports Illustrated first reported today that Ohio State Co-Defensive Coordinator and Safeties Coach Chris Ash is finalizing details to become the next head coach at Rutgers, replacing Kyle Flood. This appears now to be a done deal with a school official saying Ash will be announced Monday, pending board approval.
"We have a Board process to follow, but, yes, we have a coach,'' the top school official said, requesting anonymity until it becomes approved formally by the school's governing board.
The 41-year-old Ash has been Luke Fickell's co-defensive coordinator for the past two seasons, helping the Buckeyes tighten up its defense and capture a national championship by containing three consecutive Heisman Trophy finalists last season. Ash, considered one of college football's best assistant coaches, helped Ohio State finish the regular season ranked second in the nation in scoring defense, at 14.0 points per game allowed.
Ash also has been an assistant at Arkansas, Wisconsin, Iowa State, San Diego State and Drake. He has no head coaching experience, and the Iowa native has no known ties to New Jersey.
Flood was fired after the season by Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights finished 4-8 overall and 1-7 and tied for last in the B1G East in a season in which Flood spent part of the year suspended.
Urban Meyer will have to replace a major assistant for the second time in as many years, after losing Tom Herman to the Houston head position last off-season. Replacing Ash may prove to be easier, with an emphasis on quarters coverage across college football in recent years.
Ash is the second Big Ten East Division defensive coordinator to take a head coaching position within the division, following D.J. Durkin's move from Michigan to Maryland.
