Six years after game-planning against East Texas Baptist University, Sul Ross State and Louisiana College, Jay Niemann will face Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State.
You might say it’s been a rapid climb through the coaching ranks for Rutgers new defensive coordinator – except that the 55-year-old Neimann paid his dues before getting his shot at the big time.
“He has a way that great coaches have of getting to know players and getting them inspired,” said Jimmie Keeling, one of Niemann’s former bosses. “Our kids wanted to do what he asked them to do. They did it not out of duty but because he motivated them to want to do it.