Rutgers football's defensive coaching staff has a new look. Here are the important changes
Rutgers football’s defensive coaching staff will have a new look next season.
The Scarlet Knights on Tuesday hired Kent State defensive line coach Colin Ferrell, who will work in the same role with Rutgers.
Ferrell will replace Marquise Watson, who will transition to an off-the-field role.
"Colin and Julian are excellent football coaches and great recruiters," coach Greg Schiano said in a statement. "Their expertise will play an important role in the progression of our defense and defensive line. We would like to welcome both to the Rutgers football family.
Watson did not coach this past season after suffering a medical issue in the days leading up to Rutgers’ season opener against Northwestern.
"I also want to ask for your continued support of Marquise as he recovers," Schiano said in a statement. "He is a big part of this program and someone who will continue to impact and develop the young men in our program."
Ferrell is a native of Hamilton and has previously coached at the Hun School and at Steinert High School, where he was an all-state defensive lineman and is a member of the school’s Hall of Fame.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the hiring of Ferrell, who's been on the Kent State coaching staff since 2012. Ferrell was a standout defensive lineman at Kent State.
Ferrell in 2019 was named one of the top-five recruiters in the Mid-American Conference by 247Sports.
Rutgers also added Bowling Green defensive line coach Julian Campenni as its new defensive ends coach.
Defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak will coach the linebackers as he replaces Corey Hetherman, who left to become Minnesota’s defensive coordinator.
MORE Here's what Rutgers football's offensive line has for the first time in a while
It’s not an unfamiliar role for Harasymiak, who coached linebackers while at Maine in 2014-15.
Campenni, who was also Bowling Green’s defensive run game coordinator, helped develop Karl Brooks, a sixth-round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2023.
Campenni had been at Bowling Green since 2019.
Rivals was first to report the hiring of Campenni, who will be coaching two of Rutgers' most productive defensive players in Aaron Lewis and Wesley Bailey.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers football coaching staff changes for 2024 season
