Jay Butler Coming Back to RU!!

vkj91

Heisman
Feb 7, 2007
188,562
49,725
98
Okay so Pags was on Minnesota and Fraser on the Pats. They must be pretty bad coaches?
Man you guys are thick. I’m would be fine with Pags as the lone holdover. Fraser had about as much coaching responsibilities with the Pats as I did.
 

beaced_rivals

Heisman
Jul 18, 2004
32,005
10,324
113
His efforts resulted in his being named the 2006 Samson’s strength and Conditioning Coach of the year by the American Football Monthly.

Butler’s philosophy has also paid off for the athletes under his guidance, as Scarlet Knights - many of whom continued to train with Butler in the offseason - found success in the NFL in record numbers duringyears Butler led the strength and conditioning program.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=2ahUKEwicht2h_IXnAhVBhOAKHc3uC9sQFjABegQIARAC&url=https://hhs.htps.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_791227/File/HHS/Athletics/Athletics%20Department/Athletics%20Hall%20of%20Fame/2013-JayButler.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3GdI8JoZclhHNoZ1sH8siB
Gave you a LIKE. But even more importantly it was a GREAT B1G LIKE.
 

KingHigh

All-American
Apr 12, 2005
21,293
9,216
0
Probably 90% of us are even interested in RU football in the first place because of the success that these so-called "retreads" had the first time around. I'm good with everything I'm seeing. Produce the same level of team that we had from 2005-2010 and everyone here will be thrilled.

The huge majority of people wanted GS back, and the same one or two people who didn't want him (and wanted candidates like Moorhead and Butch Jones instead) are the same one or two people acting unimpressed or knocking his moves. That's fine. When Rutgers fails to finish better than 4th in the conference (behind OSU, UM and PSU), they will be there to tell us "I told you so". For the rest of us, it makes sense to continue to support what he's doing, rather than tearing him down. The program has never been in better hands.
 

mildone_rivals

Heisman
Dec 19, 2011
55,607
51,272
0
it's absolute bananas to not be thrilled with this staff.
It's nuts to be thrilled with the defensive side of the ball. The offensive side looks promising.

Until we start playing games, all of this is conjecture. But the offensive side seems like people in demand. The defensive side seems like people not really in demand.
 
A

anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy

Guest
I'm not blaming AC on Schiano, from what I was hearing I didn't think we had better than a 50% chance of ever getting him. He was offered a great package and he decided to decline. My issue with the DEFENSIVE hires is outside of Brown they are all retreads. Every HS coach I know loves Paganos, so I'm cool with bringing him back. I'm sorry but with the money Schiano demanded I'm simply nor impressed with Fraser, Butler, or Smith. They are three guys who have mostly never been hired by anyone not named Schiano or the Schiano tree. Now the argument will be, " who cares it's Schiano's D anyway" and that is exactly why I would have loaded up on young big time recruiters instead.
Ro
It's nuts to be thrilled with the defensive side of the ball. The offensive side looks promising.

Until we start playing games, all of this is conjecture. But the offensive side seems like people in demand. The defensive side seems like people not really in demand.
name me the better staffs in the big ten than our current staff. Not the teams but the actual coaches and why theyre better than our assistants. Youll find we have a top 5 staff in the whole conference
 

MADHAT1

Heisman
Apr 1, 2003
31,855
16,633
113
Robb Smith and Bob Fraser know what type of D Greg wants run and are on the same page on how that can be accomplished.
To rebuild what Rutgers once was coaches with those qualities are needed, especially when we can expect Schiano be overseeing the way the D practices and gameday strategy at least for his first year back.

Jay Butler knows what type of condition Greg wants for his player and Jay is trusted by Schiano to get that done.
When rebuilding a football program, trust in your staff is a must and leaves the HC free to implement the changes needed than learning about a new hire that needs to find his place in the system.

In my opinion:
Each mentioned have had success before and have felt failure. But that's true with most that are in the coaching profession.
These three are quality hires and though not the home run ones we'd like to see, they are the type that will help Schiano run the type of program he thinks will make RU FB a competitive program in the B1G
 

mildone_rivals

Heisman
Dec 19, 2011
55,607
51,272
0
Robb Smith and Bob Fraser know what type of D Greg wants run and are on the same page on how that can be accomplished.
To rebuild what Rutgers once was coaches with those qualities are needed, especially when we can expect Schiano be overseeing the way the D practices and gameday strategy at least for his first year back.

Jay Butler knows what type of condition Greg wants for his player and Jay is trusted by Schiano to get that done.
When rebuilding a football program, trust in your staff is a must and leaves the HC free to implement the changes needed than learning about a new hire that needs to find his place in the system.

In my opinion:
Each mentioned have had success before and have felt failure. But that's true with most that are in the coaching profession.
These three are quality hires and though not the home run ones we'd like to see, they are the type that will help Schiano run the type of program he thinks will make RU FB a competitive program in the B1G
Schiano may not be able to run the kind of defense he wants for a year or two. He's going to have to tailor the defense around the observed capabilities of the players he has.

So I don't really think there's a ton of value in having assistants that knew what kind of D Schiano ran here last time he was here - because at that point, Schiano had recruited specifically to his desired style of defense.

They will share terminology for things, where the terminology might not be football 101 talk. So that might be an advantage of bringing former assistants in. But the style of play is going to have to be dictated by the personnel.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zimm80

Scarlet16e2

All-Conference
Nov 22, 2005
9,003
4,069
113
It's nuts to be thrilled with the defensive side of the ball. The offensive side looks promising.

Until we start playing games, all of this is conjecture. But the offensive side seems like people in demand. The defensive side seems like people not really in demand.


The head coach has something to do with the defense. We'll be fine there.
We NEEDED killer hires on the offensive side.
 

patk89

All-Conference
Jul 25, 2001
6,366
2,496
78
Believe they would struggle against B1G dlines

They dominated Illinois. That listed OL would be one of the top lines in the conference. "Struggle" against the B1G dls? Come on now. You are joking, corrrect?
 

RU-ROCS

All-American
Feb 5, 2003
12,468
7,712
113
No agenda. Just reality. We just hired a DC that got fired at Minnesota and hates recruiting.
Followed by an assistant HS strength coach.
Good thing he held out for that increased coaching money.

Gleason and Brown are the exciting hires that an increased budget allowed Schiano to make. I too am not wowed by Smith, but overall Schiano has put together a staff that looks a lot better than what Ash had. That, along with the ability to retain talented coaches, was the objective of the increased budget.
 

mildone_rivals

Heisman
Dec 19, 2011
55,607
51,272
0
The head coach has something to do with the defense. We'll be fine there.
We NEEDED killer hires on the offensive side.
I mostly agree. But it depends on how one defines "fine".

I think we're going to lose and lose badly for at least another couple seasons. No matter who our coaches are. It's possible that our new boy-genius OC can really do a lot more with less which might allow us to surprise some teams. But... I'm not holding my breath.

I think we're going to be in trouble on the D side of the ball, players-wise. And I think that that will limit how aggressive or clever we can be on D until we get better talent there. Maybe until we can build enough depth to redshirt a lot of incoming freshmen so they can get a year or two of S&C and development before we toss them out onto the field against more talented seniors and juniors.

So I think that, most likely, in terms of winning and losing, we're unlikely to do "fine" for the next couple years. Regardless of the coaching staff. I just agree with you that we'll be fine... eventually.

Which just puts even more emphasis on having as many genius recruiters on staff as possible. So, to @vkj91's point, if it's going to be the Schiano show on D anyway, then it might have made more sense to hire the best possible recruiters for our current situation, instead of familiar faces.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vkj91
Sep 29, 2005
14,051
16,131
0
My concern with the Fraser, Smith and Butler troika is that it runs a little counter to the hope that GS has changed somewhat since the first go round and this might suggest otherwise. I wasn't crazy about Fraser and then to throw Smith on top of that just compounded the concern. I would need to know more about why Butler stayed in Florida all these years but I thought he was pretty well regarded when here.

I think its reasonable for GS to want some familiarity and experience on this staff but it just feels like we settled and prioritized that aspect versus paying up and getting another person with strong coaching/recruiting credentials. As other have pointed out, seems to me we are lighter on experience on the offensive staff than the D particularly when considering GS's experience. If you were going to take another risk the D is where you would do it.

If we offered Camp what is indicated here, then I certainly don't hold the fact that he did not come against GS. I personally thought that two Camps plus Hoffman was too much of a geographic recruiting concentration than we could afford. What is still a little unclear to me is how strong a recruiter Nunzio is. Is he primarily responsible for the kids from St. Joes and BC coming in this class? His recruiting track record is less established than his younger brother. I assume GS believes Hoffman has the personality to recruit well. Also who on this staff is covering the Maryland/Northern Va area? Seems to be a lot to ask of Brown along with blanketing South Jersey. I assume Aurich will cover PA?

Finally it will be interesting to see how the coaching assignments shake out. Particularly on offense. We know Gleeson is OC/QB, Aurich is OL and Tiquan is WR. If Smith is back, I assume he is RB. That leaves Nunzio and Hoffman for TE and ST? Based on the offense Gleeson wants to run is there an inside slot receiver coach in addition to or in combination with TE and WR?
You do realize Fraser and Smith only account for 20% of the staff? If 70-80% of staff was the same as previous, I would agree it might be an issue. We certainly didn't settle when only 20% of the staff are holdovers from previous. The only hire you might make a case we settled was Smith.
 

RUbacker

Heisman
Dec 5, 2014
16,199
23,151
108
I mostly agree. But it depends on how one defines "fine".

I think we're going to lose and lose badly for at least another couple seasons. No matter who our coaches are. It's possible that our new boy-genius OC can really do a lot more with less which might allow us to surprise some teams. But... I'm not holding my breath.

I think we're going to be in trouble on the D side of the ball, players-wise. And I think that that will limit how aggressive or clever we can be on D until we get better talent there. Maybe until we can build enough depth to redshirt a lot of incoming freshmen so they can get a year or two of S&C and development before we toss them out onto the field against more talented seniors and juniors.

So I think that, most likely, in terms of winning and losing, we're unlikely to do "fine" for the next couple years. Regardless of the coaching staff. I just agree with you that we'll be fine... eventually.

Which just puts even more emphasis on having as many genius recruiters on staff as possible. So, to @vkj91's point, if it's going to be the Schiano show on D anyway, then it might have made more sense to hire the best possible recruiters for our current situation, instead of familiar faces.
This is a bigger rebuild than when ash took over so you are right gonna take some years.
 

Scarlet16e2

All-Conference
Nov 22, 2005
9,003
4,069
113
I mostly agree. But it depends on how one defines "fine".

I think we're going to lose and lose badly for at least another couple seasons. No matter who our coaches are. It's possible that our new boy-genius OC can really do a lot more with less which might allow us to surprise some teams. But... I'm not holding my breath.

I think we're going to be in trouble on the D side of the ball, players-wise. And I think that that will limit how aggressive or clever we can be on D until we get better talent there. Maybe until we can build enough depth to redshirt a lot of incoming freshmen so they can get a year or two of S&C and development before we toss them out onto the field against more talented seniors and juniors.

So I think that, most likely, in terms of winning and losing, we're unlikely to do "fine" for the next couple years. Regardless of the coaching staff. I just agree with you that we'll be fine... eventually.

Which just puts even more emphasis on having as many genius recruiters on staff as possible. So, to @vkj91's point, if it's going to be the Schiano show on D anyway, then it might have made more sense to hire the best possible recruiters for our current situation, instead of familiar faces.

Oh, I agree that things will not change overnight.
I do think that things will begin to turn for the better sooner than many think, and even then, there will be setbacks along the way. Also, I like GS espousing high aspirations (National Championships), but I'll be very happy to simply get to bowl games regularly and be competitive against the elite teams we play.
But the fun is in watching the improvements that will be happening all along the way.
 

RUBOB72

All-American
Aug 5, 2004
23,385
7,924
0
Then you would be wrong... if you knew anything about these particular O lineman most played up at higher level... if Sosa hadn’t destroyed his knee he would have been exceptional...Stapleton, Haslam ,Zuttah, Stephenson would have given us a fighter’s chance these past several seasons...say all they want about Flood the one thing he’s pretty good at is developing O lines ...everybody though has an opinion about positions and players...some are right ...most are wrong
 

e5fdny

Heisman
Nov 11, 2002
114,968
54,268
102
One of Schiano's things back then was moving guys down a level... so, CBs playing Safety, Safeties playing LB, LBs playing DE, etc.. He wanted speed at those positions more than he wanted strength, which allowed for a more swarming defense that was faster to the ball. Butler helped facilitate that vision, though I don't know if Schiano's perspectives have changed since 2011.
That’s a “U” thing which when he was there was blessed with many more on a roster who could do that.

It did work here against our previous conference opponents but not sure yet if that will work now in the B1G East. They can’t just be fast(er).
 

NickRU714

Heisman
Aug 18, 2009
14,251
13,051
113
It's nuts to be thrilled with the defensive side of the ball. The offensive side looks promising.

Until we start playing games, all of this is conjecture. But the offensive side seems like people in demand. The defensive side seems like people not really in demand.

Am I the only one seeing the offensive staff differently?

I mean sure they are allegedly going to be great NJ recruiters but.....we literally have 3 years of actual FBS coaching experience currently on staff (not including Kolby Smith).
Gleeson - 1 year Oklahoma State OC
Nunz - 1 year RU RB, 1 year RU TE/OC/HC

At some point all these great recruits (none of which will be significant contributors in 2020 or even 2021 probably) will need to be coached and developed.
 

e5fdny

Heisman
Nov 11, 2002
114,968
54,268
102
They dominated Illinois. That listed OL would be one of the top lines in the conference. "Struggle" against the B1G dls? Come on now. You are joking, corrrect?
The 2-10 Fightin’ Illini in 2006 or the 2-10 2005 version?
 

e5fdny

Heisman
Nov 11, 2002
114,968
54,268
102
Am I the only one seeing the offensive staff differently?

I mean sure they are allegedly going to be great NJ recruiters but.....we literally have 3 years of actual FBS coaching experience currently on staff (not including Kolby Smith).
Gleeson - 1 year Oklahoma State OC
Nunz - 1 year RU RB, 1 year RU TE/OC/HC

At some point all these great recruits (none of which will be significant contributors in 2020 or even 2021 probably) will need to be coached and developed.
If they do that first job and actually get the B1G East talent we need, I’m not too worried about the second part.
 

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,685
38,449
113
They dominated Illinois. That listed OL would be one of the top lines in the conference. "Struggle" against the B1G dls? Come on now. You are joking, corrrect?
Zuttah, Haslam, Stephenson, Stapleton played in the NFL...
NFL>>>>>B1G

I can tell you also that Kevin and E Monroe trained in the NFL to get as low of BF as possible.
Knowledge, balance, leverage etc are much more important. Keep in mind that 300 or 315 are both very big people.
Our OL’s recently have been very similar in size to most of the B1G anyway.
 

WhiteBus

Heisman
Oct 4, 2011
39,520
21,922
113
Zuttah, Haslam, Stephenson, Stapleton played in the NFL...
NFL>>>>>B1G

I can tell you also that Kevin and E Monroe trained in the NFL to get as low of BF as possible.
Knowledge, balance, leverage etc are much more important. Keep in mind that 300 or 315 are both very big people.
Our OL’s recently have been very similar in size to most of the B1G anyway.
Yeah no. Ohio State made them look like kids
 

mildone_rivals

Heisman
Dec 19, 2011
55,607
51,272
0
Am I the only one seeing the offensive staff differently?

I mean sure they are allegedly going to be great NJ recruiters but.....we literally have 3 years of actual FBS coaching experience currently on staff (not including Kolby Smith).
Gleeson - 1 year Oklahoma State OC
Nunz - 1 year RU RB, 1 year RU TE/OC/HC

At some point all these great recruits (none of which will be significant contributors in 2020 or even 2021 probably) will need to be coached and developed.
Yeah, they are young. But not completely inexperienced as coaches anymore. And Nunzio really impressed me after taking over the team in 2019.

I think the most important thing, at the moment, is recruiting. And the offensive side of the ball should be able to recruit about as well as anyone at this point, if not better than most.

But we'll have to wait and see.
 

Stem

Junior
Jan 2, 2006
1,018
345
0
I really hate Rutgers fans, you cant wait to be miserable. Here is a fuking idea, lets give it a season before we kill every decision.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ATIOH

red sail

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2007
3,121
2,058
113
If we want to start to retain the best RB's from NJ ... I think you have to follow Wisconsin's lead... they've recruited some of the best RB's to come out of NJ.
Wisconsin's OL weights:
LT 303
LG 305
C 307
RG 325
RT 270

we need to get bigger on the OL to show the best NJ recruits we are all in. Butler or whoever our S&C coach will be needs to realize this. He needs to craft different lifting and diet/eating programs for the guys in the trenches vs the speed skill guys. It's not a one program training plan.
 

rucoe89

All-American
Jul 31, 2001
13,038
6,928
113
Our LBs were respectable when Fraser was here before. He may have picked up a few things in the NFL. People can adapt and change. As for Smith, I think history shows he as one good year and then spirals out. Maybe we get the one good year and then elevate Fran.
 

RUevolution36

All-American
Sep 18, 2006
8,169
5,649
113
If we want to start to retain the best RB's from NJ ... I think you have to follow Wisconsin's lead... they've recruited some of the best RB's to come out of NJ.
Wisconsin's OL weights:
LT 303
LG 305
C 307
RG 325
RT 270

we need to get bigger on the OL to show the best NJ recruits we are all in. Butler or whoever our S&C coach will be needs to realize this. He needs to craft different lifting and diet/eating programs for the guys in the trenches vs the speed skill guys. It's not a one program training plan.
All of our starters were 300+, with the exception of Maietti, who is listed at 291. The amount of beef isn't the issue, the quality of the beef is. Either needs more seasoning or we need to get the more prime cuts.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JerseyVegas_rivals

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,685
38,449
113
If we want to start to retain the best RB's from NJ ... I think you have to follow Wisconsin's lead... they've recruited some of the best RB's to come out of NJ.
Wisconsin's OL weights:
LT 303
LG 305
C 307
RG 325
RT 270

we need to get bigger on the OL to show the best NJ recruits we are all in. Butler or whoever our S&C coach will be needs to realize this. He needs to craft different lifting and diet/eating programs for the guys in the trenches vs the speed skill guys. It's not a one program training plan.

All of our starters were 300+, with the exception of Maietti, who is listed at 291. The amount of beef isn't the issue, the quality of the beef is. Either needs more seasoning or we need to get the more prime cuts.
You are losing me as 36- pointed out- it is NOT and extra few pounds and the numbers you just provided backs us up...we don’t need to be “bigger” on the OL. We need these guys to be strong, smart, trained well.
And to a previous poster- a Sosa, Haslam, Zuttah, Stephenson, Stapleton OL would be a top 5 OL in the country. I’d go to battle in any conference with that OL. Sosa was injured but all of the others were NFL bound.
 

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,685
38,449
113
To VK’s pint- last few hires...hope they surprise me. So, I get his point.
JB- I actually wanted it...but.......as much as he may have been a technical innovator in the mid 2000’s, is he equal to that noe
 
The Knight Report

Latest

  1. 01 The Knight Report B1G Network Training Camp Tour Recap + Wydeek Collier Dismissed - TKR Pod
  2. 02 The Knight Report Rutgers Football Fall Camp: Get 75% off The Knight Report - Final Day!
  3. 03 The Knight Report Rutgers Football WR KJ Duff Named to Biletnikoff Award Watch List
  4. 04 The Knight Report The 2026-27 Rutgers Women's Basketball Schedule
  5. 05 The Knight Report The Knight Report Live Ask The Experts Chat: August 19th Edition