Defensive Coordinator at Center of Bullying Controversy Among Three Rutgers Football Coaching Changes

With the regular season in the rearview mirror and a bowl date with Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium three weeks away, Rutgers University football coach Kyle Flood announced that three coaches will not return to the team.

Defensive coordinator Dave Cohen, who was the focus of bullying allegations from a former player from South Brunswick this season, is no longer on the coaching staff. Quarterbacks coach Rob Spence and offensive line coach Damian Wroblewski also will not return to the program next season, Flood announced Sunday evening.

Joe Rossi will serve as interim defensive coordinator for the Scarlet Knights’ matchup with Notre Dame in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 28 at Yankee Stadium. First-year offensive coordinator Ron Prince will coach quarterbacks for the game.

“After reviewing the season, I felt it was in the best interest of our program to make these staff changes,” Flood said in a prepared statement. “I appreciate all of the efforts of these coaches during their time in Piscataway and wish them well in their future endeavors.”

All three coaches were in their second years on the staff, according to scarletknights.com.

Cohen, whose defense gave up 40 or more points in five of the Scarlet Knight's 12 games this season, was the subject of allegations that he got in the face of former Scarlet Knight and South Brunswick High School standout Jevon Tyree, using profane language and threatening him physically. The incident occurred in April, and Tyree quit the team in November.

The quarterback situation was in question for a portion of the 2013 season.

After starting the season strong, junior quarterback Gary Nova struggled through the middle portion of the Scarlet Knights’ schedule. In his 10 games, he threw 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, and was eventually replaced by senior Chas Dodd.

“Our football program continues to evolve and grow, as evidenced by the changes Coach Flood just announced. I support these moves and Kyle’s leadership as we transition into the Big Ten,” Rutgers Athletic DirectorJulie Hermann said in a prepared statement. “In two seasons, Kyle has led us to our first share of the conference championship and has guided our program to two consecutive bowls, including this season’s highly anticipated New Era Pinstripe Bowl versus Notre Dame.”

The interim coaches will have 19 days to work with their new protégés before the bowl game, scheduled for a noon kickoff on ESPN.

Rutgers went 6-6 in a season that began with discussion of going to the program’s first BCS bowl game. However, the Pinstripe Bowl presents the Scarlet Knights the opportunity to knock off one of college football’s most storied programs, and a team that played in last year’s BCS National Championship Game.

“I'm so proud of this team and staff for earning this unprecedented opportunity for Rutgers University,” said Rutgers Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Julie Hermann. “The chance to compete against Notre Dame in a potentially sold-out Yankee Stadium in our own backyard is unparalleled in our history,” Hermann said. “This is a critical chance to continue our preparation as we move to the prestigious Big Ten Conference.”

While Notre Dame has a storied history at Yankee Stadium, Rutgers has its own tradition at both the old and new versions of the venue.

Rutgers played New York University at the old Yankee Stadium nine times between 1926 and 1948, going 1-7-1. The Scarlet Knights are 2-0 at the new Yankee Stadium, having beaten Army in 2011 and Iowa State in the 2011 Pinstripe Bowl.