Greg Schiano is back in the coaching business. And he's replacing a defensive coordinator who just took over one of his former roles.
Back To Business
Schiano, who was Rutgers' head coach from 2001 to 2011, was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012 and after two unsuccessful years with the Bucs, was fired in December of 2013.
Now he's returning to the college coaching scene, according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter. Schiano is set to become the defensive coordinator of NCAA football's 2015 National Champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Schiano, 49, will be replacing Chris Ash at the DC position. Ash just this past week agreed to terms to become the head coach at Rutgers, replacing Kyle Flood, the fired successor of Schiano with the Scarlet Knights.
While the Scarlet Knights' head man himself, Schiano turned the program into a near lock for a bowl game each year, amassing a 56-33 record from 2005-2011. He led Rutgers to bowl games in each of those years aside from a 4-8 down-year in 2010.
Top Job For Schiano, A Deserving One Too
Ohio State followed up their championship-winning season by posting an 11-1 mark in 2015, missing out on the second annual College Football Playoff after showing weakness in their lone 17-14 loss to Michigan State.
The Buckeyes defense allowed just 4.39 yards per play this past season, tied for fourth in the nation in that regard, and Schiano should be able to keep that mark close to where it is currently at. Under Schiano from 2012 to 2013, the Buccaneers allowed the second-least rushing yards in the league, allowing just 96.3 yards on the ground each game.
Before Schiano and head coach Urban Meyer can get to planning for next season and recruiting, Ohio State will compete with Notre Dame on New Year's Day in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl. Adolphus Washington is suspended for that contest.