Chris Ash explains hiring of new OC Jerry Kill

Rutgers head coach Chris Ash saw his offensive coordinator bid farewell after one season and a week later, he now has found a replacement. Former Minnesota and Big Ten head coach of the year Jerry Kill was officially announced today as Rutgers’ new offensive coordinator.

Rutgers also upped the ante from the $450,000 salary it was paying former offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer. Scarlet Nation has learned from sources that Kill’s contract will pay him $600K in the first year, $625K in the second year and $650K in the third.

“I would first like to thank out administration, Dr. Barchi and Pat Hobbs, for their support and making this hire possible,” head coach Chris Ash said today via teleconference. “I think it demonstrates the university’s commitment to building a program and getting the best people it could possibly get in this program.”

Ash began searching for a coach when he learned that Mehringer would take an assistant coaching position at Texas.

“We talked to several coaches around the country who had outstanding resumes and are at really good jobs right now,” he said.

However, the more Ash delved into the search and explored Kill as an option, the more satisfied he became with his replies.

“The feedback I got was incredible,” Ash said. “Not only his football knowledge, but his dealings with people. He has the ability to take care of people, lead people, develop people. That type of feedback kept coming in and coming in. It was overwhelming. And one guy was clearly standing out.”

Ash also talked about the kind of coach he was looking for in his new offensive coordinator.

“I wanted a guy with experience. He checks that box. I wanted a guy who is a leader, a developer of coaches and players and he checks that box. I wanted a guy with character, who we can trust, a guy who can connect with the players, a guy that had tremendous football confidence and a guy that was compatible with me. I thought that was really important to me. Coach Kill is an absolute ball coach. He doesn’t have a lot of other hobbies and interest, it is all about coaching and developing players. That is the same with me.”

A coach who could run Rutgers’ power spread offense was also a priority.

“I wanted a guy that had a similar offensive philosophy from we have already established, that did not want to go completely away from what we have done and what our players know. I think what he is going to be able to do is some similar things, but also enhance it and make it better and do an outstanding job of tailoring the offense to fit the skillset of the players we have; someone who can also develop our quarterbacks.”

Ash was also looking for a coach who has a rich history of winning. Kill’s 52-45 record at the FBS level as a head coach is impressive considering he rebuilt a few programs. His overall head coaching record is 152-99, which also includes some lower-level rebuilds.

“Wherever he has been, he has been a proven winner,” Ash said. “He is a guy that embraces challenges. He looks at it as an opportunity to do great things that people don’t think we can do. I thought through all of those things, he is a perfect fit.”