Happened to spend some time yesterday with a big OSU booster who I met at the hotel I'm staying at in Puerto Rico this week and got to ask him about Ash and Schiano. The guy was very very high on Ash and mentioned that he really wishes that Ash would've stayed at OSU. He said he understands why he left, but said that he and other donors felt that Ash would've been on the short list of coaches to take over for Meyer when he decided to leave. Said that Ash is very well liked and respected and comes across as a very intelligent football guy who knows what is needed to be successful and won't take or accept anything that isn't inline with the task at hand. He said that Ash isn't a rah-rah guy, but that isn't important. Also said that a lot of people close to the program considered Ash to be a "next generation" type of guy and that he wouldn't be surprised to see his staff skew more that way with a few established coaches thrown in. As for recruiting, he thinks Ash and his staff will elevate it to something very different from what we're used to.
I asked him about Schiano and he said that the donors are indifferent on the hire. Said that he was one of Meyer's friends who knows defense and would fit in well. Definitely doesn't see him on the pedestal that a lot of RU fans do. Also, interestingly enough, doesn't think Schiano will make a difference recruiting NJ. To quote him, "National championship rings open more doors in NJ than Schiano does".
Overall, it was a great chat with someone who knows and has seen Ash firsthand and I feel really good about where we're heading.
I asked him about Schiano and he said that the donors are indifferent on the hire. Said that he was one of Meyer's friends who knows defense and would fit in well. Definitely doesn't see him on the pedestal that a lot of RU fans do. Also, interestingly enough, doesn't think Schiano will make a difference recruiting NJ. To quote him, "National championship rings open more doors in NJ than Schiano does".
Overall, it was a great chat with someone who knows and has seen Ash firsthand and I feel really good about where we're heading.
