The Rutgers offense needs to be rebuilt. It is component of an entire program in need of retooling. And if reports this evening are true, then Chris Ash has chosen a rebuilding specialist to captain his offense during the 2017 season.

Former Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill is reported to be ready to accept the position of Offensive Coordinator at some point this week. A year ago, Ash chose an upstart 20-something year old to run his offense. Given a do-over a season later, he went in the opposite direction and hired the 55 year old Kill.

Kill has been the head coach at Saginaw Valley State, Emporia State, Southern Illinois, Northern Illinois and Minnesota in a career that has spanned 30 years. The former B1G Coach of the year boasts a career record of 152-99, leaving Minnesota in 2015 amid health concerns.

Kill has garnered a reputation as a turnaround specialist. The coach who preceded him at Saginaw Valley State finished his tenure with a 15-36 record. Kill punctuated his final season with a 9-2 finish in 1998 and a 38-14 record overall.

He took over a Southern Illinois squad in 2001 that was 15-30 under its previous coach, leading the squad to 55 wins and 32 losses over 7 seasons. He was 1-10 in year #1 and 12-2 on the way out.

Kill’s stint at Northern Illinois (2008-2010) was less of a rebuild, as the team had experienced some success under its previous head coach. However, Kill inherited a team that was 2-10 in 2007 and brought them to 23 wins against 16 losses in 3 years. The highlight was a 10-3 finish in 2010.

Kill moved over to Minnesota for the 2011 season, taking over for a coach who was 15-30 over the previous 4 seasons. He brought the Gophers back to their winning ways after a couple lean years, ultimately finishing with a 29-29 record and a B1G Coach of the Year award in 2014.

The question mark surrounding Kill is his experience running an offense. He hasn’t served as an offensive coordinator since 1993.

According to local quarterback guru, Madei Williams, Rutgers fans have reason to be excited about their new offensive coordinator. Williams referred to Kill as a “great offensive mind.” He added, “He was one of the 1st to implement the spread back in the 90's. I believe it was when he was coaching at Saginaw Valley.”

Williams played for Kill at Southern Illinois after transferring from Syracuse. He currently mentors many of the top quarterback prospects in the region, including incoming signal caller Jonathan Lewis of St. Peter’s Prep.

In the coming days, fans will learn if Kill intends on keeping the power spread offense that Ash and former offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer implemented in 2016. They will also find out if Kill will be coaching the quarterbacks, or if someone else will be assigned the task.

But one thing is certain. For a team in need of a rebirth, Rutgers has an offensive coordinator who has overseen a few of them.