Chris Ash Named the New Football Coach at Rutgers

Rutgers University - It’s official. And so much for Al Golden, the local Jersey boy who was also in the running for the top spot.

Chris Ash has been named head coach of the Scarlet Knights’ football program, Rutgers University Director of Athletics Patrick Hobbs announced Monday. Ash, 41, currently serves as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at The Ohio State University and helped lead the Buckeyes to the 2014 national championship.

“Chris Ash is absolutely the right coach at the right time for Rutgers football,” Hobbs said. “He brings with him a national reputation for his coaching and recruiting abilities and, more importantly, for his character and leadership. We could not be more excited to welcome Chris and his family to our Rutgers family.”

“I want to thank President Barchi and Pat Hobbs for the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Ash in a press release.

While he will begin many of his duties immediately, Ash will remain on staff at Ohio State through the Buckeyes’ Fiesta Bowl game against Notre Dame.

Ash was hired by Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer in January 2014 to improve a Buckeye defense that placed 112th in pass defense and 47th in total defense in 2013. In his first season, OSU’s defense ranked 19th nationally in total defense and 29th in pass defense. The Buckeyes also ranked fourth in the country with 24 interceptions en route to Big Ten, Sugar Bowl and national championships.

In 2015, the Ohio State defense continued its strides under Ash as they currently rank second in scoring defense nationally and 10th-best in total defense. The Buckeyes enter the postseason with an 11-1 record.

“Chris Ash has a proven track record in the Big Ten and has earned the respect and praise of his student-athletes, his colleagues and his opponents,” said Rutgers President Robert Barchi.

Ash was first promoted to the defensive coordinator role in the Big Ten while at the University of Wisconsin, where he spent three seasons with the Badgers.

Ash began his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant at his alma mater, Drake University, in 1997. A native of Ottumwa, Iowa, Ash earned his undergraduate degree from Drake in 1996, and was a two-time letterwinner at defensive back for the Bulldogs. He completed his master’s degree in education from Iowa State in 2005.

Chris Ash Bio

Hometown: Ottumwa, Iowa

High School: Ottumwa

Alma Mater: Drake, 1996

Master’s Degree: Iowa State, 2005

Years in Coaching: 19th

Wife: Doreen

Children: Sons, Tanner, Brady; and daughter, Jacey

Chris Ash Coaching File

2014-15: Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties (Ohio State University)

2013: Defensive Coordinator/Secondary (University of Arkansas)

2011-12: Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs (University of Wisconsin)

2010: Defensive Backs (University of Wisconsin)

2009: Defensive Backs/Recruiting Coordinator (Iowa State University)

2007-08: Defensive Backs/Recruiting Coordinator (San Diego State University)

2006: Defensive Backs/Recruiting Coordinator (Iowa State University)

2002-05: Defensive Backs (Iowa State University)

2000-01: Graduate Assistant - Defense (Iowa State University)

1998-99: Defensive Coordinator (Drake University)

1997: Graduate Assistant - Defense (Drake University)

Chris Ash Bowl Games as Coach (11)

2000 Insight Bowl

2001 Independence Bowl

2002 Humanitarian Bowl

2004 Independence Bowl

2005 Houston Bowl

2009 Insight Bowl

2010 Rose Bowl

2011 Rose Bowl

2012 Rose Bowl

2015 Sugar Bowl

2015 National Championship Game