Rutgers: a football coaching history

Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.

2001–2011, 2020–now

Greg Schiano Builder

Greg Schiano raised the Scarlet Knights from Regional Program V to National Program II.

Swung 20.1 points of pass rate — #33 of 449 FBS coaching stints since 2004

+27.9 pts over 18 seasons · top 11% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Bob Stoops’s Oklahoma run (1999–2016, 2021 (1 game))

4th-best Rutgers tenure of 10 by the numbers.

Followed Terry Shea (1996–2000) · succeeded by Kyle Flood (2012–2015) · returned in 2020, succeeding Nunzio Campanile (2019).

Season	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
Record & result
Record	2-9	1-11	5-7	4-7	7-5	11-2	8-5	8-5	9-4	4-8	9-4	3-6	5-8	4-8	7-6	7-6	5-7	2-6
Postseason	—	—	—	—	L bowl	W bowl	W bowl	W bowl	W bowl	—	W bowl	—	L bowl	—	W bowl	L bowl	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	#49	#59	#38	#31	#44	#29	#54	#29	#64	#41	#33	#57	#36	#33	#36
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	56.3	44.0	37.5	41.3	49.5	40.3	42.1	50.7	47.4	44.1	43.5	36.3	43.5	44.8	43.8
Coordinators
OC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Sean Gleeson	Sean Gleeson	Sean Gleeson	Kirk Ciarrocca	Kirk Ciarrocca	Kirk Ciarrocca	Kirk Ciarrocca
DC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Robb Smith	Robb Smith	Joe Harasymiak	Joe Harasymiak	Joe Harasymiak	Robb Smith / Zach Sparber	Travis Johansen
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	43	88	60	78	85	2	11	23	10	2	1	28	56	60	54
Defense	—	—	—	44	17	86	37	56	88	20	95	26	23	59	55	9	1	3
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	47.1	41.5	30.3	32.5	44.3	36.1	43.1	45.6	41.8	38.6	30.2	35.0	39.8	46.3	43.5
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	47.2	40.0	27.7	32.4	41.2	30.1	32.6	41.6	37.5	30.0	46.0	36.1	38.7	43.1	38.9
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	11.1	10.6	10.3	9.5	24.3	21.6	30.4	17.6	36.1	47.6	18.8	37.2	45.0	54.8	66.7

Recruiter or developer?

Underperforms his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.

Offense vs. talent

-25.5 pts

#191 of 208 · bottom quarter

Defense vs. talent

-22.8 pts

#183 of 208 · bottom quarter

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Roster construction · portal era

A typical amount of portal roster-building.

Portal arrivals

3.1★ avg rating

Portal departures

103

left via the portal

Net portal flow

-41

#123 of 187 FBS stints

Who they bring in

Typical size for position, once adjusted for position mix.

Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.

Avg. size (raw)

6′2″, 246 lbs

across 46 of 62 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix

Size vs. position-typical

+4.7 lbs

#110 of 255 · middle half

Avg. class year

#5 of 255 · top quarter

Top states: NJ (9), NY (6), PA (4), ON (3), FL (3)

Who won the portal our read

Talent added

57.2

position-weighted

Talent lost

57.3

position-weighted

Net

-0.1

arrivals minus departures

Best addition: Dylan Lonergan (QB) from Boston College

Biggest loss: Artur Sitkowski (QB) to Illinois

Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Sean Gleeson → Kirk Ciarrocca · 2023The offense leveled up

2-season window either side.

1st-down pass rate: 34.4% → 37.4% (+3.1 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 44% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

DC: Robb Smith → Joe Harasymiak · 2022The defense improved

2-season window either side.

DC: Joe Harasymiak → Robb Smith (co) / Zach Sparber (co) · 2025

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

DC: Robb Smith (co) / Zach Sparber (co) → Travis Johansen · 2026

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

Roster size, by position

Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)

Quarterback

213 lbs

6′3″ avg · #376 of 767 · middle half

Running back

206 lbs

5′10″ avg · #448 of 791 · middle half

Wide receiver

193 lbs

6′1″ avg · #378 of 791 · middle half

Tight end

252 lbs

6′4″ avg · #141 of 731 · top quarter

Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters

Interior line

307 lbs

6′5″ avg · #460 of 779 · middle half

D-line

273 lbs

6′4″ avg · #604 of 753 · bottom quarter

Linebacker

230 lbs

6′2″ avg · #323 of 772 · middle half

Cornerback

197 lbs

6′0″ avg · #65 of 771 · top quarter

Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Kicker from high school

100%

#52 of 56 stints

Grows Tight end from high school

83%

#155 of 188 stints

Postseason detail2005: Lost to Arizona State 40-45 Bowl2006: Beat Kansas State 37-10 Bowl2007: Beat Ball State 52-30 Bowl2008: Beat NC State 29-23 Bowl2009: Beat UCF 45-24 Bowl2011: Beat Iowa State 27-13 New Era Pinstripe Bowl2021: Lost to Wake Forest 10-38 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl2023: Beat Miami 31-24 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl2024: Lost to Kansas State 41-44 Rate Bowl

25 NFL Draft picks: L.J. Smith (2003), Nathan Jones (2004), Raheem Orr (2004), Brian Leonard (2007), Cameron Stephenson (2007), Clark Harris (2007), Ray Rice (2008), Jeremy Zuttah (2008) + 17 more

1 player-season honored (All-America / national award): Adam Korsak (2022)

AI Narratives — “Rutgers finishes 2025 season at 5-7” and 6 more on the team page.

+27.9

101-114

2019

Nunzio Campanile Short tenure

2019 offense ranked in the 1th percentile nationally — historically bad

1-7

2016–2019

Chris Ash Steady

Chris Ash slid Rutgers from National Program III to Regional Program I in 4 seasons.

2016 offense ranked in the 0th percentile nationally — historically bad

−10.4 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 12% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Bob Diaco’s UConn run (2014–2016)

7th-best Rutgers tenure of 10 by the numbers.

Followed Kyle Flood (2012–2015) · succeeded by Nunzio Campanile (2019).

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2016	2017	2018	2019
Record & result
Record	2-10	4-8	1-11	1-3
Postseason	—	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	#64	#42	#56	#64
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	40.4	38.7	45.3	37.8
Coordinators
OC	Drew Mehringer	Jerry Kill	John McNulty	John McNulty
DC	Jay Niemann	Bill Busch / Jay Niemann	Jay Niemann	Andy Buh / Noah Joseph
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	0	5	3	1
Defense	37	40	47	13
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	35.6	31.6	38.1	29.7
Red-zone pass%	34.5	23.6	45.7	34.0
4th-down go%opp. territory	29.7	13.6	18.2	20.7

Recruiter or developer?

Underperforms his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.

Offense vs. talent

-49.8 pts

#209 of 208 · bottom quarter

Defense vs. talent

-17.8 pts

#173 of 208 · bottom quarter

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Drew Mehringer → Jerry Kill · 2017

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 35.6% → 31.6% (-3.9 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 54% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

OC: Jerry Kill → John McNulty · 2018

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 31.6% → 38.1% (+6.5 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 48% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

DC: Jay Niemann → Bill Busch (co) / Jay Niemann · 2017

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

DC: Bill Busch (co) / Jay Niemann → Jay Niemann · 2018

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Long snapper from high school

100%

#13 of 13 stints

Grows Edge from high school

100%

#191 of 208 stints

4 NFL Draft picks: Kemoko Turay (2018), Sebastian Joseph (2018), Saquan Hampton (2019), Blessuan Austin (2019)

−10.4

8-32

2012–2015

Kyle Flood Steady

Kyle Flood moved Rutgers from National Program III to National Program II in 4 seasons.

2012 offense ranked in the 1th percentile nationally — historically bad

−1.3 pts over 4 seasons · top 39% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Clay Helton’s Georgia Southern run (2022–now)

3rd-best Rutgers tenure of 10 by the numbers.

Followed Greg Schiano (2001–2011) · succeeded by Chris Ash (2016–2019).

System Shift, on departure

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2012	2013	2014	2015
Record & result
Record	9-4	6-7	8-5	4-8
Postseason	L bowl	L bowl	W bowl	—
Recruiting rank	#23	#48	#56	#56
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	47.6	49.3	42.2	41.8
Coordinators
OC	—	—	Ralph Friedgen	Ben McDaniels
DC	—	—	Joe Rossi	Joe Rossi
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	1	22	63	47
Defense	97	9	11	11
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	36.6	43.8	36.2	34.2
Red-zone pass%	45.8	47.2	33.0	35.6
4th-down go%opp. territory	18.8	39.0	27.3	42.4

Recruiter or developer?

Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on offense and underperforms his recruiting talent on defense.

Offense vs. talent

-6.6 pts

#140 of 208 · middle half

Defense vs. talent

-43.0 pts

#208 of 208 · bottom quarter

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Ralph Friedgen → Ben McDaniels · 2015

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 36.2% → 34.2% (-2.0 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 46% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Edge from high school

100%

#191 of 208 stints

Grows Running back from high school

100%

#196 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2012: Lost to Virginia Tech 10-13 Russell Athletic Bowl2013: Lost to Notre Dame 16-29 New Era Pinstripe Bowl2014: Beat North Carolina 40-21 Quick Lane Bowl

10 NFL Draft picks: Logan Ryan (2013), Duron Harmon (2013), Khaseem Greene (2013), D.C. Jefferson (2013), Jawan Jamison (2013), Steve Beauharnais (2013), Marcus Cooper (2013), Tyler Kroft (2015) + 2 more

−1.3

27-24

1996–2000

Terry Shea Steady

Terry Shea slid Rutgers from Regional Program II to Regional Program III in 5 seasons.

−12.1 pts over 5 seasons · bottom 7% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Steve Kragthorpe’s Louisville run (2007–2009)

10th-best Rutgers tenure of 10 by the numbers.

Followed Doug Graber (1990–1995) · succeeded by Greg Schiano (2001–2011).

1 NFL Draft pick: Mike McMahon (2001)

−12.1

11-44

1990–1995

Doug Graber Steady

Doug Graber held Rutgers at Regional Program II for 6 seasons.

−1.1 pts over 6 seasons · bottom 39% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Doug Martin’s New Mexico State run (2013–2021)

8th-best Rutgers tenure of 10 by the numbers.

Followed Dick Anderson (1984–1989) · succeeded by Terry Shea (1996–2000).

2 NFL Draft picks: Chris Brantley (1994), Keif Bryant (1995)

−1.1

29-36-1

1984–1989

Dick Anderson Steady

Dick Anderson slid Rutgers from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 6 seasons.

−2.5 pts over 6 seasons · bottom 34% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Mike MacIntyre’s Colorado run (2013–2018)

5th-best Rutgers tenure of 10 by the numbers.

Followed Frank Burns (1973–1983) · succeeded by Doug Graber (1990–1995).

2 NFL Draft picks: Alan Andrews (1985), Harry Swayne (1987)

−2.5

27-34-4

1973–1983

Frank Burns Steady≈

Frank Burns moved the Scarlet Knights from Regional Program II to National Program II in 11 seasons.

+11.4 pts over 11 seasons · bottom 47% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Jackie Sherrill’s Mississippi State run (1991–2003)

2nd-best Rutgers tenure of 10 by the numbers.

Followed John Bateman (1960–1972) · succeeded by Dick Anderson (1984–1989).

Season	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983
Record & result
Record	6-5	7-3-1	9-2	11-0	8-3	9-3	8-3	7-4	5-6	5-6	3-8
Postseason	—	—	—	—	—	L bowl	—	—	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1978: Lost to Arizona State 18-34 Bowl

4 NFL Draft picks: Dan Gray (1978), Bill Pickel (1983), Keith Woetzel (1983), Jim Dumont (1984)

+11.4

78-43-1

1960–1972

John Bateman Steady

John Bateman moved Rutgers from Regional Program III to Regional Program I in 13 seasons.

−3.8 pts over 13 seasons · bottom 11% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Rick Stockstill’s Middle Tennessee run (2006–2023)

6th-best Rutgers tenure of 10 by the numbers.

Followed John Stiegman (1956–1959) · succeeded by Frank Burns (1973–1983).

1 NFL Draft pick: Bruce VanNess (1970)

−3.8

73-51

1956–1959

John Stiegman Steady

John Stiegman moved Rutgers from Regional Program II to Regional Program III in 4 seasons.

+0.6 pts over 4 seasons · top 31% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Lou Tepper’s Illinois run (1992–1996)

9th-best Rutgers tenure of 10 by the numbers.

Followed Harvey Harman (1946–1955) · succeeded by John Bateman (1960–1972).

+0.6

22-15

1946–1955

Harvey Harman Steady

Harvey Harman held Rutgers at National Program II for 10 seasons.

1st-best Rutgers tenure of 10 by the numbers.

Succeeded by John Stiegman (1956–1959).

National Program II

48-37-1