If Rutgers’ new defensive coordinator has anything going for him, it’s that he won’t ever get in trouble with his boss.

After former defensive coordinator Paul Ferraro left for a job with the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano interviewed potential candidates during the offseason, but none felt right. In the end, Schiano realized the coach he needed was in his office the whole time.

Schiano named himself the Scarlet Knights’ new defensive coordinator.

He’s one of only a few head coaches who double duties on defense, including Southern California’s Pete Carroll, Mississippi’s Ed Orgeron and Syracuse’s Greg Robinson.

‘At this stage in the program, where we are, I don’t know if a transitional period was the best thing for our program,’ Schiano said of his decision to take over the role. ‘I’m glad I did it. It’s a lot of work but it’s a lot of fun, and I hope it produces results.’

His defense – and entire team for that matter – will be playing to help keep Schiano in New Brunswick, N.J. They’ll need better performances than Saturday’s 33-30 overtime loss to Illinois, when the Scarlet Knights surrendered a 17-point fourth quarter lead.

There’s been speculation that Schiano is on the hot seat after compiling a 12-34 record in four seasons as head coach. If there was ever a time that Rutgers can break out of its losing funk, it’s now.

With quarterback Ryan Hart, running back Brian Leonard and receiver Tres Moses returning, the Knights are well-stocked on offense. Whether they can significantly improve a defense that finished 108th in the nation last season will determine their fate – and perhaps Schiano’s job.

‘We’re now in our fifth year and finally we have a program established here and not just a bunch of teams throughout the years,’ Schiano said. ‘It’s a different feel than some of the other years.’

But with a better team comes increased expectations. After four forgettable seasons, Schiano knew his players had no time to get used to a new defensive system. The defense is not much different schematically, and Schiano brings considerable experience as a defensive coach, including two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Miami in 1999 and 2000.

While Schiano was with the Hurricanes, they were 20-5 and featured an aggressive, swarming defense that ranked as the best scoring defense in the Big East both seasons. Besides the talent and the productivity, those Miami teams featured a certain swagger that made them stingier.

It’s a characteristic Schiano wants to see from the Scarlet Knights.

‘(The swagger) is something that comes up through the program and it’s something that we’re trying to establish,’ Schiano said. ‘That tradition and the way you carry yourself. We’ve progressed, but it’s been gradual. When you start from scratch, that’s the way it goes. As a coach, I don’t think I can impose that. But I think your team does take on your personality.’

Schiano has an aggressive and positive personality. However, his teams have been mired by inconsistency. Last season, Rutgers upset Michigan State only to lose to Division I-AA New Hampshire. It was an eye-opener about the program more than it was a mulligan. Good programs don’t lose those games. Schiano knows this, and he’s preached patience.

In 2005, though, he’s preaching results – as the head coach and the defensive coordinator. He’s spent enough time setting a foundation and building a program. This is his chance to finally start yielding success, going ways to building the tradition he raves about.

‘The toughest thing about taking over the Rutgers program is that the infrastructure was not in place for the support areas – they had to be rebuilt,’ Schiano said. ‘Strength and conditioning, academic, the athletic training area, all had to be drastically enhanced and that takes a lot of time. There’s no substitute for tradition. It’s one of the challenges, but it’s what makes the job so fun. We’re the ones trying to establish that tradition.’

Friday Night Lights

After a 42-21 shellacking from Notre Dame, Pittsburgh looks to rebound on Friday night against Ohio. This conflicts with high school games, which traditionally play on Friday nights. Pittsburgh head coach Dave Wannstedt is sensitive to this, and insists efforts were made to avoid interference with the local high schools.

Because of the national television coverage associated with the two high-profile coaches – Wannstedt at Pitt and former Nebraska head coach Frank Solich at Ohio – the game was slated for the prime-time audience.

Wannstedt said the area high school coaches understand the situation, and by no means is the scheduling a slight to Friday night football.

‘No one is more sensitive to high school football in western (Pennsylvania) than me,’ Wannstedt said. ‘Sometimes you get into situations because of scheduling and TV. Some of these things we have to do because of the conferences and the program.’

Player of the Week

Elvis Dumervil, DE, Louisville – When Elvis left the building after Louisville’s 31-24 win over Kentucky on Sunday, he set a Big East and UL record with six sacks, including five in the first half alone. Dumervil also tallied a career-high 12 tackles, forced a pair of fumbles and recovered a fumble in the prolific performance.

Game to Watch

Cincinnati at Penn State, Saturday, noon, ESPN Regional

The Bearcats squeaked by Eastern Michigan 28-26 in their opener. Needless to say, Penn State is not Eastern Michigan. The Nittany Lions feature a young, dynamic offense and an aggressive defense. Freshman receiver Derrick Williams and freshman cornerback Justin King both played significant time for PSU, impacting their 23-13 win over South Florida. The Bearcats need to slow the game’s pace, take the rabid Beaver Stadium crowd out of the game and get a big performance from quarterback Dustin Grutza if they can knock off the Big Ten heavyweight.

Around the Conference

Grutza was named Big East Offensive Player of the Week, as the quarterback was 17 of 26 for 176 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions against Eastern Michigan. He also ran for 49 yards and a score. Dumervil won Defensive Player of the Week. UConn’s Larry Taylor took the honors for special teams, returning five punts for 118 yards and one kickoff for 43 yards in a 38-0 win over Buffalo. … Despite the loss, Rutgers’ running back Brian Leonard had perhaps the play of the week on a third quarter, highlight-worthy, 83-yard touchdown run. Leonard hurdled Illinois cornerback Charles Bailey, seemingly flying through the air before landing on his feet and running to the end zone, giving Rutgers a 27-7 advantage before they eventually surrendered the lead. … South Florida head coach Jim Leavitt said the Bulls will keep junior Pat Julmiste at quarterback after experimenting with sophomore Courtney Denson. Julmiste completed 21of 35 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown in the loss.

Published on September 6, 2005 at 12:00 pm