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Football Fraser announced officially as LB coach

ChrisNalwasky

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Mar 25, 2018
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Fraser Returns as Rutgers Linebackers Coach

Veteran coach begins fourth stint “On the Banks”



PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Jan. 15, 2020) – Rutgers head football coach Greg Schiano announced the addition of Bob Fraser as linebackers coach. Bringing 35 seasons of coaching experience, Fraser arrives for his fourth stint and 11th season “On the Banks.” He first joined the Scarlet Knights in 1987 as a graduate assistant before returning to the staff from 2006-11 in various capacities, including defensive coordinator. Fraser most recently served as the RU linebackers coach in 2015.


"Bob and I have worked together for several years at different stops and it is great to bring him back to Rutgers, a place I know he cares about deeply,” said Schiano. “My faith and trust in ‘Fras’ as a coach and developer of men is unparalleled."


Fraser spent the 2019 season as a coaching assistant for the New England Patriots, his third year in the NFL, after working 2016-18 as a quality control coach on the same staff as Schiano at Ohio State. The Buckeyes won two Big Ten championships in those three seasons, capping with a victory in the 2019 Rose Bowl.


Fraser was part of Rutgers’ transition to the Big Ten, helping the team win eight games and the Quick Lane Bowl in 2014. Linebacker Steve Longa led the team with 102 tackles and added 117 the following season to finish with 342 career stops, eighth-most in program history. Longa is in his third season in the NFL as a member of the Detroit Lions.


Fraser spent two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including serving as the assistant defensive coordinator in 2013. During that season, the Buccaneers placed two players on the Associated Press All-Pro First Team in defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and outside linebacker Lavonte David, a first for the franchise since 2005. In 2012, Fraser coached David to a standout rookie campaign as he led the team in both tackles and tackles-for-loss, while ranking in the top 10 in the NFL in tackles and among the top five in the league in solo tackles and tackles-for-loss. David was named NFL Rookie of the Month for November, becoming the first Buccaneer to win the award.


During his second stint at RU from 2006-11, Fraser was instrumental in helping orchestrate some of Rutgers’ finest defensive units. In 2011, his defense finished first in the Big East Conference in four defensive categories: total defense, scoring defense, pass defense and pass efficiency defense. It also ranked in the top 20 nationally in total defense (14th), scoring defense (eighth), pass defense (ninth), pass efficiency defense (fifth), sacks (15th) and tackles-for-loss (eighth). In addition, Rutgers linebacker Khaseem Greene was named both an All-American and the first Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year in school history. Greene ranks fourth in school history with 387 career tackles.


In his first season as a defensive coordinator in 2009, Fraser helped the Scarlet Knights to a top-20 national ranking in six categories, including leading the nation in tackles-for-loss and ranking fourth in sacks. RU was 15th in the country in rushing defense, 16th in scoring defense and 18th in total defense.


After spending 2006 as assistant to the head coach, Fraser worked the 2007-08 seasons with the linebackers before taking on co-defensive coordinator duties, along with coaching linebackers, for 2009-10. Overall, Fraser has been part of six Rutgers bowl trips, including five wins.


Before joining the RU staff, Fraser served nine seasons coaching linebackers at Colgate. During his tenure, he tutored three Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year honorees, nine All-Patriot League selections and two All-Americans.


Fraser started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Allegheny, during the 1985-86 seasons. He later served in the same role at Rutgers for the 1987-88 seasons, where he worked with Schiano, who was then a graduate assistant as well.


Fraser returned to Allegheny for the 1989 season in his first full-time position, spending three seasons as linebackers coach. The Gators were undefeated for two seasons, and in 1990, won the NCAA Division III National Championship. He also made stops at Holy Cross and Northeastern.


Playing Experience

Fraser was a four-year letterman at Allegheny and was a two-time team captain. He earned All-America honors on the defensive line as a sophomore. In addition, Fraser was inducted into both the Allegheny College and East Allegheny High School Hall of Fames.


Personal

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Alma Mater: Allegheny, 1985 (computer science)

Wife: Cheryl

Children: Justin, Jason, Jessica


Coaching Experience

2020-present: Rutgers (linebackers)

2019: New England Patriots (coaching assistant)

2016-18: Ohio State (quality control)

2015: Rutgers (linebackers)

2014: Rutgers (special teams/linebackers)

2013: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (assistant defensive coordinator)

2012: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (linebackers)

2011: Rutgers (defensive coordinator/defensive line)

2009-10: Rutgers (co-defensive coordinator/linebackers)

2007-08: Rutgers (linebackers)

2006: Rutgers (assistant to the head coach)

1998-2005: Colgate (linebackers)

1997: Allegheny (linebackers)

1996: Northeastern (offensive tackles/tight ends)

1992-95: Holy Cross (defensive line)

1989-91: Allegheny (linebackers)

1987-88: Rutgers (graduate assistant)

1985-86: Allegheny (graduate assistant)
 
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