Daily Brews: Current, former Michigan assistants emerge for Rutgers job

The Michigan Wolverines are currently in game prep mode for the Ohio State Buckeyes, but the coaching carousel across college football has been turning for weeks in the Big Ten with its perennial doormat program: The Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers fired head coach Chris Ash after getting demolished at Michigan back in September and they have been searching since then. The name that everyone believed would replace him, Greg Schiano, has reportedly turned down the job after the two sides could not come to a deal.

That leaves Rutgers in a bit of a pickle seeing as they do not have a desirable job or the cache to hire a big name they may interested in. However, a few familiar names have emerged as potential guys to keep an eye on.

Michigan linebackers coach Anthony Campanile and former assistant Jedd Fisch are two candidates to watch for, writes NJ.com:

“Two names have emerged as potential backup targets for Rutgers athletics director Patrick Hobbs if Schiano is not the hire, several individuals with knowledge of the situation told NJ Advance Media: Michigan linebackers coach Anthony Campanile and Los Angeles Rams assistant coordinator for offense Jedd Fisch, both New Jersey natives.

Fisch, 43, is a Hanover Park High graduate who has previously expressed heavy interest in the Rutgers job to donors and school officials, according to a person with knowledge of his thinking. He did not play football – he was an All-State tennis player – but he was a graduate assistant under Steve Spurrier at Florida, where he was also Eagles general manager Howie Roseman’s roommate. Fisch has substantial experience as an NFL position coach and college offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, including stints at Miami, Michigan, Minnesota and UCLA. He served as UCLA’s interim head coach at the end of the 2017 season.

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Campanile, 37, is a former Scarlet Knights player and assistant. If hired, Hobbs would look to team him with his brother, interim head coach and offensive coordinator Nunzio Campanile, 42. atop a New Jersey-centric coaching staff.

Anthony Campanile would presumably be named the head coach in this scenario – he has more college coaching and coordinator experience than his brother, who would likely stay in a coordinator role. But it is possible Nunzio Campanile could be promoted to permanent head coach with his brother leaving Ann Arbor to be the defensive coordinator and top assistant.”

Something to keep an eye on as we move forward, it appears. Rutgers is going to have to get creative with this one, but truth be told, this is probably a program that peaks around six wins at best in the Big Ten. That’s a tough sell for any potential candidate thinking about his next career move.

Other Brews

• Speaking of Greg Schiano, some of his reported demands are out for what he wanted out of the Rutgers job. Good on Rutgers for passing if this was the case.
• The boosters are...not happy with Rutgers AD Pat Hobbs right now.
• Urban Meyer has weighed in on The Game, and says there’s “no chance” he’s picking Michigan in this one. Stunning.
• The Vegas odds are creeping toward the Wolverines for Saturday. Ohio State opened as a nine-point favorite, but it is down to 8.5 points in some spots. This one will be worth keeping an eye on this week.
• Wondering where the latest Bowl Projections have the Wolverines heading? We rounded up the latest predictions on Sunday.