College Football Coaching Changes: Ranking the best hires

Oct 10, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; General view of High Points Solutions Stadium prior to the game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Michigan State Spartans. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

10. Rutgers Scarlet Knights – Chris Ash replaces Kyle Flood

It was an ugly year for Rutgers football and for the athletic department and that’s why head coach Kyle Flood was fired and athletic director Julie Hermann was shown the door as well. It’s time for a new era of Rutgers football and the Scarlet Knights are trusting former Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash will be the one to change the culture and bring the program back to bowl contention.

Ash helped lead the Buckeyes to the national championship in 2014 and his defense was even better in 2015 as they finished second in scoring defense and 10th in total defense and many of his former players will be playing in the NFL for a long time.

He comes from the Urban Meyer coaching tree and coached under Bret Bielema at Wisconsin and Arkansas, which should help him transition into his first head coaching position since he’s so familiar with the conference and division.

You can win at Rutgers, but it won’t be a quick fix. Give Ash two full years and he’ll have this team back in bowl contention on an annual basis.

Next: Will Muschamp