COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS

Former Maryland coach Friedgen named Rutgers OC

The Sports Xchange

February 01, 2014 at 1:08 am.

In 10 seasons at Maryland, the 66-year-old Friedgen compiled a 75-60 overall record, winning seven bowl games. He replaces Ron Prince, who left after the 2013 season to become an assistant with the Detroit Lions. Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

As Rutgers gears up to enter the Big Ten next season, the Scarlet Knights bolstered their staff by hiring former Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen as offensive coordinator.

Rutgers also announced on Friday that it promoted assistant coach Joe Rossi to defensive coordinator and selected Bob Fraser as named special teams coordinator.

“We got significantly better as a football program today,” Rutgers coach Kyle Flood said. “All three of these coaches have proven track records as excellent tacticians and recruiters.”

Reports earlier in the week indicated that Friedgen was going to take the job. The Newark Star-Ledger reported that Friedgen, who was retired, is expected become the school’s highest paid assistant coach in history.

In 10 seasons at Maryland, the 66-year-old Friedgen compiled a 75-60 overall record, winning seven bowl games. He replaces Ron Prince, who left after the 2013 season to become an assistant with the Detroit Lions.

“We could not have found a better coach or person to lead our offense than Ralph,” Flood said. “His track record of success both in college and the NFL is second to none on the offensive side of the ball. He will be a tremendous addition to our Rutgers football family.”

Rossi, who was in his second year as the Scarlet Knights’ special teams coach, became the interim defensive coordinator for the Pinstripe Bowl loss to Notre Dame in December after Dave Cohen was fired before the game.

Fraser was the defensive coordinator at Rutgers before he left with former head coach Greg Schiano for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now Fraser is coming back to the school after the Tampa Bay coaching change at the end of the season.

ALL  |  NFL  |  College Football  |  MLB  |  NBA