What if he's not the right coach?

[brgRC90]

Why is it some are,ready to run this coach out of town after 6 games but we're willing to give that incompetent previous coach as much leeway for years?

I've been wondering the same thing myself. Even after flood inherited a team with a top 10 defense and couldn't win a big east without west virginia, and got crushed by Kent freaking state, people were defending him. But ash takes over a broken down team in the hardest division in football and can't work miracles in 6 games and there's mutiny.

 

[RUsince52]

I saw two open receivers last night. Two. For the entire game.
We could of had Peyton Manning back there last night and the results would not have changed.
No time to throw and receivers who don't get separation....it is not all on the QB

Too bad none of our qbs that can throw aren't quick enough to react and take off. No reason on a broken play they can't gain 5-7 yards, once in awhile in spite of our OL. Not the total answer, but would certainly help.
Because Oden hasn't proven he can throw, they expect the run when he is on the field.

 

[RU31trap]

I've been wondering the same thing myself. Even after flood inherited a team with a top 10 defense and couldn't win a big east without west virginia, and got crushed by Kent freaking state, people were defending him. But ash takes over a broken down team in the hardest division in football and can't work miracles in 6 games and there's mutiny.

RC90: nobody said we shouldn't be losing, what the fanbase, media and sports personalities are saying is we look lost, ill prepared and bewildered!!! That my friend is poor player development, poor game preparation and no sense of urgency. No one is suggesting we should have beaten Wash, OSU or MICH but dam it act like you did your homework hold your OC & DC accountable. Cmon RC you're a reasonable fan please don't tell me your satisfied with ASH's performance because it's not good. You can't say this about Schiano in his early years or Flood for that matter.

 

[brgRC90]

Flood's teams didn't look completely lost and unprepared??? They usually looked that way, as did Schiano's teams sometimes for that matter. The last game I went to in person was the season opener against Cincinnati in the expanded stadium. Schiano's team was utterly unprepared. Cincinnati tore the defense apart and Schiano didn't have an answer--ever, as if he had no idea what to expect with a team he was totally familiar with.

 

[Caliknight]

This is what happens when you hire a guy with no HCing experience. You waste 2 years getting him up to speed. Been there done that. Al Golden should have been the choice but I guess Ash can put together a mean power point presentation. Can't coach a lick but knows how to interview. Harbaugh saw through his BS at Stanford that's why Harbaugh is where he is.

Moose, just stop. It's beyond pathetic to pump up not so Golden.

Golden couldn't win with Miami talent that falls into the schools lap every year. He sucks. There is a reason he is sitting at home. No real school will hire him. Ever.

He is at best a position coach that recruit, and at his advancing age, he probably isn't even that.

The coaches in this league laugh at him.

 

[brgRC90]

I can't believe anyone thinks al golden would've been a great choice for hc.

 

[IL Lusciato]

Flood is a straw man. Ash has gotten destroyed in the last two games worse than we have seen in years. And prior to that the team looked Ill prepared. I'm not calling Ash into question just yet, but every OP who wants to open discussion on Ash gets chased out of town and screamed ar about Flood. Its ridiculous

 

[nick614]

This is what happens when you hire a guy with no HCing experience. You waste 2 years getting him up to speed. Been there done that. Al Golden should have been the choice but I guess Ash can put together a mean power point presentation. Can't coach a lick but knows how to interview. Harbaugh saw through his BS at Stanford that's why Harbaugh is where he is.

Don't worry harbaugh & michigan will get what is coming to them in November. Just watch last year's game to get a preview.

 

[JMORC2003]

I still have faith in Ash. Lets let the rest of the season play out. Taking over a program that was in decline as a rookie coach I imagine is no easy task, no matter how smart or driven you are.

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

It is shocking just how out of touch with reality some people here are. Anyone who thought we was going to be any good this year... Clearly haven't seen us play since GS left and also have not been paying attention to what the Big Ten have been doing the past few years. It is time to wake up. News flash we will not go to a bowl game next year as well.

I belive that we will have a legit chance to go bowling in 2018 and we should keep getting better from that point on.

I don't know what the ceiling is for Ash but we can't know for sure until at least 4-5 years.

Last week there were plenty of threads explaining why this is the case, if you do not get it by now it is because you refuse or do not want to get it.

Anyone who wants to fire anyone after 6 games, 3 of which were against top 5 teams. Two of them we actually won and one we could have won is just not being rational period.

 

[TM514]

Yes, Ash needs 3-4 seasons to reach 8 or more wins with his system. 7-5 in year ? Then he probably get another year or two if program on solid ground after assessment.

Conversely, if he has sudden success next season or 2018, then he will be a candidate for other jobs and may leave to be back in the mid-west.

 

[newell138]

He's obviously a solid DC and I've liked how he conducts himself to date, even through UW and OSU. Though I've questioned his selection of OC since game one and ST coordinator since game two, last night was the first time I started to question whether CA can get the job done. A whole half a season has passed and it's hard to see any progress. In the offseason, many talked about not caring about wins and losses, but accepting progress on the field and seeing fewer blowouts. Still have half a season to go against more manageable competition, but what if he can't get the job done? What if he stubbornly sticks by his assistants who can't get the job done? What if recruiting falls apart? I believe the results will be worse next year before they get better. What if 2018 is more of the same? Or if 2018 is just an upward blip in the third year like Shea had? Will RU look at the big check in 2021 and say, we don't have the stomach for this anymore?

Those with faith far stronger than my own say just trust him and things will get better. I'm starting to have trouble believing that.

 

[RMSko]

I still think (or is that hope?) Ash will get it done. IMO the only other coaching alternative was Narduzi. Nothing against Ash, but at the time I thought Narduzi was the best choice, especially when I heard he reached out to us. Would he have done any better, I have no idea. The risk of course is that he would've jumped quickly since he certainly wasn't showing any loyalty to Pitt. So, at the end of the day, I was pleased with Ash and hope he really can build a strong foundation.

 

[RU31trap]

We'll be playing a 1-4 Illinois team AT HOME. They lost to NC, W-Mich, Neb and Purdue! We should beat this team. I'm going to watch this game very closely. This game is beyond critical for coach Ash and staff.

 

[chrisru99]

If he is not the one he will be fired after 4 seasons. In 4 seasons we will be able to finally pay what it takes to win at this level. Ash gets 2 million a year enough for lowest paid coach in the BIG eastern division. This should be the last time Rutgers goes cheap on any hire.

 

[Panthergrowl13]

It's too early to say conclusively if he was a good hire or not.

On a positive note it seems he has the ability to connect and recruits kids to want to come to Rutgers.

Even though he was the co-dc at Ohio State he had very limited time in that position.
In fact, almost the entire staff he has hired has very limited experience/time coaching in P5 football programs.

This is not to say that he (staff) will not be successful over time but that may take a long (and maybe painful) learning curve.

The decision for Rutgers will be how many years will Rutgers be willing to give him before moving on ( future full B1G payments to Rutgers) will make the next coaching hire much easier (if required).



HAIL TO PITT!!!!

 

[Steve91562]

If he's not the right guy, then in three or four years RU hires someone new. Simple.

Although the last two games were historic bad, the HC inherited a team thin on talent, then changed schemes and hired a young OC with limited experience. You won't have any inkling until the end of the year whether he is the right guy or not, but a change from the prior regime was needed.

 

[Steve91562]

I still think (or is that hope?) Ash will get it done. IMO the only other coaching alternative was Narduzi. Nothing against Ash, but at the time I thought Narduzi was the best choice, especially when I heard he reached out to us. Would he have done any better, I have no idea. The risk of course is that he would've jumped quickly since he certainly wasn't showing any loyalty to Pitt. So, at the end of the day, I was pleased with Ash and hope he really can build a strong foundation.

That was a negotiating tactic on his agent's part. He got a raise from Pitt.

 

[G- RUnit]

It's too early to say conclusively if he was a good hire or not.

On a positive note it seems he has the ability to connect and recruits kids to want to come to Rutgers.

Even though he was the co-dc at Ohio State he had very limited time in that position.
In fact, almost the entire staff he has hired has very limited experience/time coaching in P5 football programs.

This is not to say that he (staff) will not be successful over time but that may take a long (and maybe painful) learning curve.

The decision for Rutgers will be how many years will Rutgers be willing to give him before moving on ( future full B1G payments to Rutgers) will make the next coaching hire much easier (if required).



HAIL TO PITT!!!!

Pitt guy gets it. Many here have had the same concerns and voiced them in December and January and were worried about RU once again providing too much on the job training with this staff. A mix of at least one or two grisly vets would have been nice with some assistants like the Fridge.

While everyone rightly so has been impressed with Ash himself, the inexperience and judgement of the rest of the staff is worrisome. The decision not to hire anyone with P5 experience is biting us. Maryland hired two former D1 head coaches. We hired a WR coach with no D1 OC experience. We have three legit Div I backs in Martin, Hicks and Goodwin, and have shown signs of good running(Iowa) but OC's non working system appears to be a priority. The illegal formations on punts every single game are mind boggling. That's not a lack of talent issue.

 

[RutgersMO]

Our Offensive Coordinator is working with a bare cupboard. He may or may not be the guy, but you don't fire someone during the season, if that's what you are wishing to do. Ash will reassess the Coaches at the end of the season. Hang in there man. Things will get better.

Our offense under our OC has been offensive...but not productive.

Might be a good idea to evaluate our talent / fit the offense to the capabilities of our players.

Agree on Ash...way too early to be having this discussion.

Beat Illini, Pedd State, Indy, Minny, Mary and MSU (or at least 4 of the 6)....and this topic is toast.

MO

 

[RU2055]

Al Effin Golden? Seriously? WTH is wrong with you people????

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

Our offense under our OC has been offensive...but not productive.

Might be a good idea to evaluate our talent / fit the offense to the capabilities of our players.

Agree on Ash...way too early to be having this discussion.

Beat Illini, Pedd State, Indy, Minny, Mary and MSU (or at least 4 of the 6)....and this topic is toast.

MO

Well, last year in the Pro-Set.. they were terrible as well when Carroo was out and now in the Spread they are terrible as well with Grant out. I would call that a freaking pattern, it is easy to try to blame the scheme but that doesn't hold water knowing the facts. The spread is btw design to hide flaws but it is what it is, we need to recruit better and build depth. The pattern the last few seasons was that as soon as 1-2 players get hurt or suspended, everything falls apart, that is a depth issue due to poor recruiting by Flood. If that is still an issue 4 years from now that will be on Ash. I agree with everything else you wrote.

 

[RUinPAC10land]

Unfortunately, he may fail here but may still be a good coach. The epitome of this would be Rich Rodriguez at Michigan. Nobody can argue that he was great at WVU, but Michigan is a different story. Perhaps, we are simply not meant to be a spread offense school.

 

[MADHAT1]

It's too early to say conclusively if he was a good hire or not.

On a positive note it seems he has the ability to connect and recruits kids to want to come to Rutgers.

Even though he was the co-dc at Ohio State he had very limited time in that position.
In fact, almost the entire staff he has hired has very limited experience/time coaching in P5 football programs.

This is not to say that he (staff) will not be successful over time but that may take a long (and maybe painful) learning curve.

The decision for Rutgers will be how many years will Rutgers be willing to give him before moving on ( future full B1G payments to Rutgers) will make the next coaching hire much easier (if required).



HAIL TO PITT!!!!

Ash's staff in some cases are inexperienced , other cases their resume shows that they have the experience you think is lacking
I will not say or claim they are the best, nor claim they're bad, I just say until this season's over RU fans need to wait before passing judgement on Ash or any of his staff.
How Rutgers performs against the top programs should be an indicator of if they are good or not. It's how RU plays the middle of pack and bottom-feeding conference programs that should show if they're capable of being in the B1G and can be expected to make RU FB competitive with the best when RU plays them.

Starting with Ash's 4 years DC experience (Wisconsin , Arkansas and OSU) it can be said 4 years is not enough or plenty according to how long you feel someone needs to be in that position before he's ready for a HCing job.

Mehringer's OC experience is lacking and I believe it shows.
Hard for a young OC to learn on the job while teaching his players a new offense different from the one they were recruit to play and possibly a type their skill set isn't a good fit in.

Niemann RU's DC has 5 years DC experience as one at NIU , but in at a mid-major program.
Also has two year DC experience at a lower level along with being a HC at a lower level than Northern Iowa where he was DC

Okruch RU's STC has been a DC and a list of other experience since he was Minnesota's
RB coach in 1986. You can go back to 1977 to see when he started out coaching at Culver-Stockton College

The position coaches are a mixture of experience and fairly new , worth checking out to see if I'm right :
SCARLETKNIGHTS.COM - Official Athletic Site Official Athletic Site - Football
http://www.scarletknights.com/sports/m-footbl/coaches.html

 

[DHajekRC84]

. If not for horrible execution on a few plays, by our offense I guess Iowa, we would be 3-3 with all three losses coming to top 5 teams..

man, that hurts, you're so right. I can't imagine how different I'd fell right now at 3-3 with who we lost to (even though they were horrible losses). That would actually be really good under the circumstances and take a lot of the sting out of the last two brutal weeks.

 

[G- RUnit]

Ash's staff in some cases are inexperienced , other cases their resume shows that they have the experience you think is lacking
I will not say or claim they are the best, nor claim they're bad, I just say until this season's over RU fans need to wait before passing judgement on Ash or any of his staff.
How Rutgers performs against the top programs should be an indicator of if they are good or not. It's how RU plays the middle of pack and bottom-feeding conference programs that should show if they're capable of being in the B1G and can be expected to make RU FB competitive with the best when RU plays them.

Starting with Ash's 4 years DC experience (Wisconsin , Arkansas and OSU) it can be said 4 years is not enough or plenty according to how long you feel someone needs to be in that position before he's ready for a HCing job.

Mehringer's OC experience is lacking and I believe it shows.
Hard for a young OC to learn on the job while teaching his players a new offense different from the one they were recruit to play and possibly a type their skill set isn't a good fit in.

Niemann RU's DC has 5 years DC experience as one at NIU , but in at a mid-major program.
Also has two year DC experience at a lower level along with being a HC at a lower level than Northern Iowa where he was DC

Okruch RU's STC has been a DC and a list of other experience since he was Minnesota's
RB coach in 1986. You can go back to 1977 to see when he started out coaching at Culver-Stockton College

The position coaches are a mixture of experience and fairly new , worth checking out to see if I'm right :
SCARLETKNIGHTS.COM - Official Athletic Site Official Athletic Site - Football
http://www.scarletknights.com/sports/m-footbl/coaches.html

That's not Div I experience for a B1G school by any stetch. Sorry. It's an issue.

 

[DHajekRC84]

Don't worry harbaugh & michigan will get what is coming to them in November. Just watch last year's game to get a preview.

your keyboard to God's will. I grew up an OSU fan, faded, but am now back even if it is just due to my disgust for that team from up north from you.

 

[NJFAN]

No one knows if Ash is the right guy and as many have said, it is way too early to even have that type of conversation. But one thing I would like to know is how did the product on the field the past 3 games look so bad. Especially, the last two games against Ohio State and Michigan. Are the Buckeyes and the Wolverines that good, have that much talent far distancing the talent that Rutgers has or there some other ingredient that missing?

 

[LeftyLarry]

Wisconsin is a much better program than Rutgers and we have trouble beating Mich & OSU (especially with their current Coaches) and we only play maybe a little better than 50-60% against MSU and PSU.
You are in a very tough league, very tough divison.
You need to do what WIsconsin does to occasionally beat the GIANTS of recruiting in the Big Ten.
You need a BIG OL, a solid running game that can keep the game short, less possessions for them and you but close games and sometimes, with a few SPECIAL players on both sides of the ball, you can beat them.
When that happens and you gain credibility, along with getting the full $40,000,000/yr from the conference, the Instate players will stay home, you'll hire an exciting NAME Coach and you can compete.

 

[cicero grimes]

No one expects miracles of CA. As hard as this is to suffer through, let him shape the program into what he envisioned. We will know soon enough if he is up to the task.

 

[LeftyLarry]

No one expects miracles of CA. As hard as this is to suffer through, let him shape the program into what he envisioned. We will know soon enough if he is up to the task.

He's a solid football coach and a good recruiter, give him some time.

 

[brgRC90]

Are the Buckeyes and the Wolverines that good, have that much talent far distancing the talent that Rutgers has or there some other ingredient that missing?

Ohio State has a coach who has won 3 NCs with 2 different teams in the space of a decade. Michigan has a former NFL coach who took his team to the Superbowl and this was after all his success at Stanford.

We have Kyle Flood's team, a career o line coach who had crappy o lines and didn't recruit a single o line player who made it to the nfl.

 

[rutgersal]

Ash gets a full five, period. Anyone who suggests anything else is simply pissing into the wind.
You don't take on a rebuilding situation like this unless given the time to see it through. He needs time to grown into his role. His assistants need time to grow into their roles.
Maybe he changes assistants after Year 2, just like Schiano. Other than that, better get used to him, because he's going to be here a while

 

[RUinPAC10land]

Ash gets a full five, period. Anyone who suggests anything else is simply pissing into the wind.
You don't take on a rebuilding situation like this unless given the time to see it through. He needs time to grown into his role. His assistants need time to grow into their roles.
Maybe he changes assistants after Year 2, just like Schiano. Other than that, better get used to him, because he's going to be here a while

Unless, he voluntarily steps down, but I hope he succeeds.

 

[BoogieKnight]

RC90: nobody said we shouldn't be losing, what the fanbase, media and sports personalities are saying is we look lost, ill prepared and bewildered!!! That my friend is poor player development, poor game preparation and no sense of urgency. No one is suggesting we should have beaten Wash, OSU or MICH but dam it act like you did your homework hold your OC & DC accountable. Cmon RC you're a reasonable fan please don't tell me your satisfied with ASH's performance because it's not good. You can't say this about Schiano in his early years or Flood for that matter.

Can't say this about Schiano in his early years? Are you high??? Did you happen to see the game at WVU when he left punt return unit on the field when WVU lined up and scored on a 60 yard go route right before the half? Did you see 80-7 vs a team that won 3 games? Where you there when 6-5 Pitt team put up 42 points...in the FIRST HALF? Or the 25 point drubbing by a bad Temple team? Either you are too young, weren't paying attention or just don't remember how bad Schiano's first 2-3 years looked at times. Ch#ist almighty the guy had no answers for NEW HAMPSHIRE and that was in year fvcking FOUR!!

Yes these past 2 weeks have sucked but they are behind us and it's not like we haven't seen this before (sadly). Has Ash been great? Of course not. He's learning how to be a HC on the job. But give the guy at least one full season before you crucify him. In the grand scheme of things, would losing 51-14 make you THAT much happier? Really splitting hairs here. I know it's tough to watch and the entertainment value wasn't there the past 2 weeks but it was also missing quite obviously when the likes of Kent State, Cincinnati and Houston (pre-Herman) were walking into our building and kicking our dicks in under Flood. And they were NOT Top 5 teams.

 

[yesrutgers01]

Wow- Al Golden...The guy couldnt win with a consistent top 20 recruiting classes in a much weaker conference with no rules placed on him by the admin.

I'll take the last two weeks over having to deal with the long term of a Golden.

Nuts is also correct...It seems that most fans that are already bashing Ash are the ones who came into the season with very unrealistic expectations.

BTW- I don't think any part of CL's QB has had the slightest bit of OK in it this year but 90% of the sacks are not on him at all. He still misses wide open guys, doesnt see the field but let's be honest, he hasnt had the time to throw the ball away most times.

 

[NotInRHouse]

I would like to see how he does versus non-top 10 teams.

He was kind of average at best against Iowa- I really didn't like the timeout usage.

But we have 4 teams coming up that are a combined 9-11. I would like to see at least two of those as wins.

 

[RU2055]

Ash gets a full five, period. Anyone who suggests anything else is simply pissing into the wind.
You don't take on a rebuilding situation like this unless given the time to see it through. He needs time to grown into his role. His assistants need time to grow into their roles.
Maybe he changes assistants after Year 2, just like Schiano. Other than that, better get used to him, because he's going to be here a while

You're losing it Al. Ash won't be here 5 years. The San Francisco Forty Niners will hire him next year after we win the Rose Bowl.

 

[RU old timer]

Ash should be given two years including this year to be .500. Since it is not uncommon to change coordinators mid season, Mehringer should not be working at RU anymore based on complete ineptitude--all aspects of the offense.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Flood is a straw man. Ash has gotten destroyed in the last two games worse than we have seen in years. And prior to that the team looked Ill prepared. I'm not calling Ash into question just yet, but every OP who wants to open discussion on Ash gets chased out of town and screamed ar about Flood. Its ridiculous

Ahhhh com'on man... Many of us saw this coming and have been talking about it for a couple of years now. Flood slowly, methodically, destroyed this program. Last December I called a 4-8 season "regardless of coach" and stated that our schedule would be the hardest one we ever faced but, once again, I was shouted down by the Floodies. Mr. Good-Guy turned out not only to be a douche, but, to be the arguably the 2nd worst thing to ever happen to Rutgers Football (with Terry Shea being #1). How anyone with the slightest semblance of a clue as to where this program is right now - so everybody here who has been here for more than a minute - can put ANY of this on Chris Ash is not only mind-boggling, IMHO, but beyond ignorant.

Yes - there are things we'd all like to see "better," right now - but the bottom line is Flood will get the wrath of this mess for AT LEAST 1.5 more seasons. Just like Shea did. That's how the world works, like it or not, bottom line.

Have you checked this thread out yet? The OP absolutely nails it (without even accounting for the # of kids getting either 0, or minimal, other P5 offers and some having more FCS than FBS offers...):

https://rutgers.forums.rivals.com/threads/floods-3-recruiting-classes.109259/