An instant turnaround was never expected. Chris Ash also was aware of just what he was getting into when he took over the program last year.
But it’s possible that the former Ohio State defensive coordinator’s first season in charge at Rutgers was more challenging than he might have imagined, with still plenty of work ahead of him heading into this offseason.
The Scarlet Knights didn’t win a single game in Big Ten play, and their last victory was way back in the middle of September against New Mexico. Rutgers actually had a winning record at that point and a modest two-game winning streak, but there wouldn’t be another victory for the rest of the year despite occasional flashes of potential.