Rutgers coach Kyle Flood completed a reshuffling of his staff with four moves, including capping his monthlong search for an offensive coordinator by hiring ex-Kansas State head coach Ron Prince, and promoting linebackers coach Dave Cohen to defensive coordinator.
There were other moves Tuesday, including running backs coach Norries Wilson getting the title of assistant head coach, grad assistant/ace recruiter Anthony Campanile becoming a full-time assistant with the receivers and tight ends and Iowa secondary coach Darrell Wilson being hired last week. But it’s Prince that will draw the most attention.
“Ron brings with him a wealth of experience at the D-I level and the NFL level. I’m excited to see what he can do with our offense with the experience he’s had,’’ said Flood, whose offense struggled in its only year under the departed Dave Brock, mustering just 21.2 points — 11 in its three-game skid to close the season.
Flood also interviewed ex-Virginia running back coach Mike Faragalli, while Prince, 43, interviewed with the Saints for their running back coach position. But when Sean Peyton chose Michigan State offensive coordinator Dan Roushar, Rutgers finally had its new coordinator.
Prince was the assistant offensive line coach for the Colts from 2010-11 and the Jaguars last season. He also served as Virginia’s offensive coordinator from 2001-05, when the Cavaliers averaging 28.3 points through the past three seasons.
Prince was 17-20 as one of Division I’s youngest coaches at Kansas State, leading the Wildcats to the Texas Bowl against Rutgers in his first year and featuring pro-style offenses that averaged 35.2 and 34.9 points in his last two, each time ranking 19th in the country. But his defenses struggled and he exited amid an ugly legal battle over pay.
Cohen, who had been the defensive coordinator at both Hofstra and Delaware, was elevated to the same position after Robb Smith joined ex-Rutgers coach Greg Schiano with the Buccaneers.
“We have a way of playing defense here at Rutgers — that’s not going to change,” Flood said. “I spent three years with [Cohen] and Delaware and I’ve seen what he can do.’’