https://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/...line-coach-aj-blazek-leaving-for-new-job.html
More change is coming to the Rutgers coaching staff.
Offensive line coach and assistant head coach A.J. Blazek has left the staff for a new job, three individuals with knowledge of the situation told NJ Advance Media, to join the coaching staff at two-time reigning FCS champion North Dakota State. Blazek has previously worked with new Bison coach Matt Entz.
The energetic Blazek was one of the more prominent members of head coach Chris Ash’s staff and considered one of its better recruiters. Blazek, who was an All-Big Ten center at Iowa, flirted with a job at his alma mater after the 2016 season. But Ash was able to retain him with a raise and the addition of his assistant head coach title. Blazek’s base salary was $350,000 this past season; his contract was set to expire at the end of June.
Despite the fact Rutgers had an abysmal offensive season in 2018, Blazek is so far the only change with the offensive coaching staff. John McNulty will return for a second season – becoming the first Rutgers offensive coordinator to do so in a decade – while running backs coach Nunzio Campanile, wide receivers coach Lester Erb and tight ends coach Vince Okruch appear set to return at this point.
Rutgers has made several changes on the defensive side of the ball, though. Ash did not retain defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Jay Niemann and outside linebackers coach Toby Neinas after the season while cornerbacks coach/pass game coordinator Cory Robinson left for a job at Maryland. Ash has since re-hired former assistant Henry Baker to replace Robinson and tabbed former Maryland defensive coordinator Andy Buh to replace Niemann.
More change is coming to the Rutgers coaching staff.
Offensive line coach and assistant head coach A.J. Blazek has left the staff for a new job, three individuals with knowledge of the situation told NJ Advance Media, to join the coaching staff at two-time reigning FCS champion North Dakota State. Blazek has previously worked with new Bison coach Matt Entz.
The energetic Blazek was one of the more prominent members of head coach Chris Ash’s staff and considered one of its better recruiters. Blazek, who was an All-Big Ten center at Iowa, flirted with a job at his alma mater after the 2016 season. But Ash was able to retain him with a raise and the addition of his assistant head coach title. Blazek’s base salary was $350,000 this past season; his contract was set to expire at the end of June.
Despite the fact Rutgers had an abysmal offensive season in 2018, Blazek is so far the only change with the offensive coaching staff. John McNulty will return for a second season – becoming the first Rutgers offensive coordinator to do so in a decade – while running backs coach Nunzio Campanile, wide receivers coach Lester Erb and tight ends coach Vince Okruch appear set to return at this point.
Rutgers has made several changes on the defensive side of the ball, though. Ash did not retain defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Jay Niemann and outside linebackers coach Toby Neinas after the season while cornerbacks coach/pass game coordinator Cory Robinson left for a job at Maryland. Ash has since re-hired former assistant Henry Baker to replace Robinson and tabbed former Maryland defensive coordinator Andy Buh to replace Niemann.