Coach Prime or Brian Kelly?

rutgersguy2

All-Conference
Jul 9, 2025
3,812
1,956
112
I like GT'S coach a lot. He is a good man. Runs a solid program. But man did he blow it last night. Maybe Rutgers can hire him?😉
I don't know what he was thinking settling for a 45yd FGA. Even if it went through, I don't like that decision. That's certainly not for sure FG range. Personally, if I see anything over 35 or so I think try to get a little closer.
 

MADHAT1

Heisman
Apr 1, 2003
31,958
16,749
113
Sanders sneaked out a win against the Rambling Wreck .
Deion might be a better Coach than Schiano and bring in more ,money and talent to the program, but he hasn't proved he's ready for prime time yet and the lucky win against GT shouldn't pit in the list of top candidates that Zinn will be making the moment she decides to go for the gold standard type of HC RU needs to hire to be competitive in the B1G and not play like a cupcake when playing one
 
  • Like
Reactions: shields

rutgersguy2

All-Conference
Jul 9, 2025
3,812
1,956
112
If it comes to it, I'd be good with a bunch of names and Brian Kelly would be one of them. (again no guarantees even with him). I'm not sure why some don't like him other than they don't like his personality.

He's been coaching for decades and won everywhere he's been from Grand Valley St, Central Michigan, Cincy (took them to BCS bowls twice), ND (brought them back to the national stage and Freeman has taken it up a level) and even LSU (just not up to their expectations). In decades of coaching, it looks like he's only had 2 losing seasons. His win percentage is good. He's identified good coaches like Mike Elko, Clark Lea, Marcus Freeman, Blake Baker among some others. He could come cheaper as well because he's still being paid 50M by LSU. You can get him for a reasonable salary, it doesn't have to be a premium one. The northeast is probably a better fit for him that LSU was.

There are no guarantees with any coach but that's very worthy resume' imo.
 

LotusAggressor_rivals

All-American
Oct 11, 2003
16,555
8,454
113
I don't know what he was thinking settling for a 45yd FGA. Even if it went through, I don't like that decision. That's certainly not for sure FG range. Personally, if I see anything over 35 or so I think try to get a little closer.
That sounds like the kind of decision making we've seen at RU.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Caliknight

Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
90,707
88,816
113
I don't know what he was thinking settling for a 45yd FGA. Even if it went through, I don't like that decision. That's certainly not for sure FG range. Personally, if I see anything over 35 or so I think try to get a little closer.
But the UMass kicker made a 51 yard attempt last night!
That sounds like the kind of decision making we've seen at RU.
The problem with the GT kicker is he was not violent enough. They should have recruited UMass' kicker. Did you see his violent 51 yarder last night?
 

tico brown

Heisman
Oct 16, 2005
44,487
14,533
93
I’d take Coach Prime:
-More and probably better Media coverage
-More recruiting
-More NIL opportunities
-Jersey kids would play for him and Jersey coaches would open up to him more.
 

jsol_05

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2005
5,446
3,124
113
The mess is because of our coach.

we finally have an administration that cares. We finally have NIL.

Job is still attractive.
It may be attractive but not to them, they are both too old for this job. This job would put both in a nursing home.
 

rutgersguy2

All-Conference
Jul 9, 2025
3,812
1,956
112
It may be attractive but not to them, they are both too old for this job. This job would put both in a nursing home.
Kelly is younger than Cignetti. He’s about the same age as Jim Mora who just took the CSU job after a solid stint at UConn. Ferentz is 70 or so.

it depends on whether he’s still got the coaching bug and fire still. If the answer is yes then I’d be fine with Kelly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RUTGERS95

mdk02

Heisman
Aug 18, 2011
26,961
19,243
113
I’d take Coach Prime:
-More and probably better Media coverage
-More recruiting
-More NIL opportunities
-Jersey kids would play for him and Jersey coaches would open up to him more.

Better media coverage? "More" I'd agree with. Where are the additional NIL funds coming from? And would NJ kids, parents and coaches open up to him if he told a whole bunch of their slightly older former teammates or neighbors get told to hit the portal? And how would that affect recruiting?
 

RUTGERS95

Heisman
Sep 28, 2005
35,675
52,327
113
Better media coverage? "More" I'd agree with. Where are the additional NIL funds coming from? And would NJ kids, parents and coaches open up to him if he told a whole bunch of their slightly older former teammates or neighbors get told to hit the portal? And how would that affect recruiting?
Deion in the media capital of the world would do wonders for Rutgers, zero doubt about that

He would bring in money and media for sure
 

mdk02

Heisman
Aug 18, 2011
26,961
19,243
113
Deion in the media capital of the world would do wonders for Rutgers, zero doubt about that

He would bring in money and media for sure

I have doubts. Not about more media, which may be good and may not. I don't see the increase in money.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RUTGERS95

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,766
38,554
113
Anyone wanting either of those two- even with the mess we are currently dealing with, are out of their freaking minds...

BTW- the coach we need to poach just shocked a B1G team last night.
 

Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
90,707
88,816
113
Anyone wanting either of those two- even with the mess we are currently dealing with, are out of their freaking minds...

BTW- the coach we need to poach just shocked a B1G team last night.
Summary of his record at Maine:

2016​


In his first year as head coach, Harasymiak led the Black Bears to a 6–5 mark doubled its total from the 2015 season, including a 5–3 record in inter-division games. The Black Bears, ended the year fifth in the CAA standings, totaling the school's most league wins since Maine's CAA title season in 2013.


2017​


In 2017 the team regressed to a 4–6 record. Though individually, eight Black Bears earned All-CAA honors under Harasymiak's tutelage.


2018​


In 2018, he led Maine to a 10–4 record, with a 7–1 conference mark and a CAA championship its first since 2013. Maine advanced to its first FCS national semifinal appearance in its history. Harasymiak was awarded FCS coach of the year by the American Football Coaches Association after the Black Bears' historic season.
 

MADHAT1

Heisman
Apr 1, 2003
31,958
16,749
113
Summary of his record at Maine:

2016​


In his first year as head coach, Harasymiak led the Black Bears to a 6–5 mark doubled its total from the 2015 season, including a 5–3 record in inter-division games. The Black Bears, ended the year fifth in the CAA standings, totaling the school's most league wins since Maine's CAA title season in 2013.


2017​


In 2017 the team regressed to a 4–6 record. Though individually, eight Black Bears earned All-CAA honors under Harasymiak's tutelage.


2018​


In 2018, he led Maine to a 10–4 record, with a 7–1 conference mark and a CAA championship its first since 2013. Maine advanced to its first FCS national semifinal appearance in its history. Harasymiak was awarded FCS coach of the year by the American Football Coaches Association after the Black Bears' historic season.
Might be grasping at straws because he won last night and not taking into account the no win season he had last year .
Might as well start thinking about the current Northwestern OC.
He was the OC for New Hampshire in 2004 when that cupcake turned the tables on a Schiano team
Chip was 46 -7 at Oregon.
But sucked as the UCLA HC (35-34), even though he went 8-4>9-4 & 8-5 in his last 3 tears as the Bruins HC
 
  • Like
Reactions: RUTGERS95

Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
90,707
88,816
113
Might be grasping at straws because he won last night and not taking into account the no win season he had last year .
Might as well start thinking about the current Northwestern OC.
He was the OC for New Hampshire in 2004 when that cupcake turned the tables on a Schiano team
Chip was 46 -7 at Oregon.
But sucked as the UCLA HC (35-34), even though he went 8-4>9-4 & 8-5 in his last 3 tears as the Bruins HC
I don't think he wants to be a HC. There are articles out there. But a good suggestion. Ryan Day would approve.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MADHAT1

MADHAT1

Heisman
Apr 1, 2003
31,958
16,749
113
I don't think he wants to be a HC. There are articles out there. But a good suggestion. Ryan Day would approve.
The way Rutgers seems to be , I wouldn't be surprised to hear Rutgers offered him the job thinking his real name was Brian and he just just went by Chip .🤪
 

RUTGERS95

Heisman
Sep 28, 2005
35,675
52,327
113
Anyone wanting either of those two- even with the mess we are currently dealing with, are out of their freaking minds...

BTW- the coach we need to poach just shocked a B1G team last night.
RU can't go small. I agree they have baggage, like world tour amount of baggage but it has to be a name and name that matters.
 

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,766
38,554
113
RU can't go small. I agree they have baggage, like world tour amount of baggage but it has to be a name and name that matters.
Well- let's just go with Primetime- he actually sort of sucks and his health is horrible. He built a winning team around a handful of college superstars. He hasn't done much at all without those guys.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RUTGERS95

RUTGERS95

Heisman
Sep 28, 2005
35,675
52,327
113
Well- let's just go with Primetime- he actually sort of sucks and his health is horrible. He built a winning team around a handful of college superstars. He hasn't done much at all without those guys.
we need a splash is all, we need the press and the hype. you have to have a 'wow' with the next coach as RU needs to show it's serious
 

Bueller

Senior
Nov 28, 2025
613
534
93
I like what Indy did with Cignetti. Pays to remember Schiano was once "the young, big named up and comer" after Ray Rice and a great OL won him Coach of the Year for 06 season. Michigan wanted to hire him, Then Tenn wanted to hire him a few years later. Kelly was "the big name" and now he's gone

GS peaked at the wrong time. He used to have great defenses until all the spreads came around and took advantage of hyper aggressive defenses. Greg never could beat Rich Rod's WV. He was still a great secondary coach (a reason Belichick drafted so many of his DBs) but he was weird on offense (how many people think a three times fired Ciarrocca is one of the best OCs in CFB as Schiano says ?)

I hate the sexy coordinator route because it busts more often than not. Cigs is older but he knows players and stays away from the toxic guys. Oddly enough Cigs gets the same kind of good character guys that Schiano likes. Players like that respond to the father figure types. Of course knowing football is #1, and Cigs not only won a lot with a little but he was an innovator and ran practices different. 20 minute practices on Mondays and Fridays and 90 minutes on other days was a risk but it made sense because plodding practices can really take the joy and focus away. That's a thinking man's coach who knows the wise bets.

Army hired a big name with NFLs Bobby Ross and he went 9-25. Monken talks football 5 minutes and you can tell he knows the game and players. He takes a top 10 team like Oklahoma and a good Wisconsin team to multiple overtimes with single offer players

Cigs has half the support staff Schiano does. RU football is like local school district where assistant superintendents have assistants. Cigs first salary at Indiana was 4.2 million and now he''s highest paid CFB coach at 13.2 plus car services and such . At 60 he's "the man" in CFB. There are other Cigs out there - it just takes people who know football to find them. Being from LSU maybe the AD has some ideas/.contacts. Lady ADs don't thrill me over football. Who remembers Terp's Debbie Yow not wanting Fridge as HC and hiring James Franklin as "HC in waiting" to sweat Fridge away
 

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,766
38,554
113
we need a splash is all, we need the press and the hype. you have to have a 'wow' with the next coach as RU needs to show it's serious
We need a winner. I also think that a new coach, if we ever made that move, is not coming into a cupboard that is bare. Someone could come in and have a 6 win team in their first season and just go up from there.
 

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,766
38,554
113
I like what Indy did with Cignetti. Pays to remember Schiano was once "the young, big named up and comer" after Ray Rice and a great OL won him Coach of the Year for 06 season. Michigan wanted to hire him, Then Tenn wanted to hire him a few years later. Kelly was "the big name" and now he's gone

GS peaked at the wrong time. He used to have great defenses until all the spreads came around and took advantage of hyper aggressive defenses. Greg never could beat Rich Rod's WV. He was still a great secondary coach (a reason Belichick drafted so many of his DBs) but he was weird on offense (how many people think a three times fired Ciarrocca is one of the best OCs in CFB as Schiano says ?)

I hate the sexy coordinator route because it busts more often than not. Cigs is older but he knows players and stays away from the toxic guys. Oddly enough Cigs gets the same kind of good character guys that Schiano likes. Players like that respond to the father figure types. Of course knowing football is #1, and Cigs not only won a lot with a little but he was an innovator and ran practices different. 20 minute practices on Mondays and Fridays and 90 minutes on other days was a risk but it made sense because plodding practices can really take the joy and focus away. That's a thinking man's coach who knows the wise bets.

Army hired a big name with NFLs Bobby Ross and he went 9-25. Monken talks football 5 minutes and you can tell he knows the game and players. He takes a top 10 team like Oklahoma and a good Wisconsin team to multiple overtimes with single offer players

Cigs has half the support staff Schiano does. RU football is like local school district where assistant superintendents have assistants. Cigs first salary at Indiana was 4.2 million and now he''s highest paid CFB coach at 13.2 plus car services and such . At 60 he's "the man" in CFB. There are other Cigs out there - it just takes people who know football to find them. Being from LSU maybe the AD has some ideas/.contacts. Lady ADs don't thrill me over football. Who remembers Terp's Debbie Yow not wanting Fridge as HC and hiring James Franklin as "HC in waiting" to sweat Fridge away
i wouldn't say Cigs has half the support staff- yes, on paper- Greg has more staff than anyone- but I would bet he has no clue who half of them are and most of them are not really doing much for this team.
 

RUboston

All-American
Sep 13, 2002
6,347
9,728
78
How about Navy’s Brian Newberry or Navy’s offensive coordinator, Drew Cronic? 10-3 and 11-2 the last two seasons with bowl wins over Oklahoma and Cincinnati.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Furrari360
The Knight Report

Latest

  1. 01 The Knight Report Football College Football 27 Sim - Rutgers Football versus USC Trojans
  2. 02 The Knight Report Join The Knight Report TODAY for $1 and get 50% off!
  3. 03 The Knight Report Football Rutgers ranks 14th in Big Ten in estimated roster spending, 46th nationally
  4. 04 The Knight Report The Knight Report - Ask The Experts Chat: September 16th Edition
  5. 05 The Knight Report Football ESPN FPI projects Rutgers Football's 2026 schedule - Week Two