Alex Marvez of Foxsports.com is reporting that Rutgers assistant coaches Frank Cignetti (OC/QB), Bob Fraser (DC), Brian Angelichio (TE) and Jeff Hafley (DB) are all leaving for NFL jobs. The latter three will join their old boss, Greg Schiano, in Tampa, while Cignetti is headed off to St. Louis to become Sam Bradford's position coach.* These departures were expected, but they still sting none-the-less.
Hafley was considered one of the best recruiters in the country, landing a number of top players from the North Jersey Parochial Powerhouses during his time at Pitt and Rutgers. His best work was mending the RU- Don Bosco relationship. He wasn't considered a great defensive backs coach while at Pitt, but he did help Logan Ryan and Duron Harmon earn all Big East honors last season. He obviously is good enough for former NFL DB coach Greg Schiano to hire him twice.
Angelichio was also an ace recruiter, making strong inroads for Rutgers in Eastern Pennsylvania. He was able to haul in two 4 star offensive tackles, Chris Muller and JJ Denamn from that area for the 2012 recruiting class. Unlike Hafley, he does have a good reputation coaching tight ends, turning raw, athletic freaks like Dorin Dickerson and DC Jefferson into solid blockers and pass catchers.
Fraser was not a star recruiter and Schiano ran the defense for the most part, but Fraser did a very good job coaching the Knights' defensive lineman and linebackers during his six seasons on Greg Schiano's staff
Cignetti drastically improved Rutgers' offense in his lone season On the Banks. His pro style offense was a much better fit for the culture at Rutgers after an incompetent Kirk Ciarroca almost ran the program into the ground with his no-huddle spread attack. Under Cignetti, the Knights controlled the clock with an inconsistent rushing attack and gave the defense time to rest. His passing game was solid, despite some quarterback controversy and too many drops from the receiving corps. He was not a super coordinator by any means, but he was solid and got Rutgers' offense back on the right track.
Tim Pernetti and Kyle Flood have some extra money to bring in new assistants, and it's absolutely imperative that they make good hires. They'll not only need two new coordinators and someone to coach DBs, QBs, and TEs, they'll need coaches who are great recruiters with ties to North Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania as well. A head coach, especially a rookie one, needs to surround himself with a great staff in order to succeed.
*I guess this means that Gary Nova will be a Ram in 3 years.Yes this is a tongue in cheek comment
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