One of Urban Meyer's best assistants named as one of the worst coaching hires of the last century in college football history
Like most all-time head coaches, Urban Meyer produced a ton of successful and respected assistants who went on to earn their own head coaching job later on. Meyer's masterful Ohio State tenure earned him legendary status, and a big part of that was nailing several key decisions on the coaching staff. He wasn't always right, […]
Like most all-time head coaches, Urban Meyer produced a ton of successful and respected assistants who went on to earn their own head coaching job later on. Meyer's masterful Ohio State tenure earned him legendary status, and a big part of that was nailing several key decisions on the coaching staff. He wasn't always right, but his instincts were generally spot on.
One of his best assistants was Chris Ash. Ash produced one of the most star-studded units in the nation over the last decade, boasting NFL talent all over the field. But his post-Ohio State tenure left Rutgers confused.
It was so bad that John Talty of CBS Sports named Ash as the 21st-worst coaching hire of the last century.
Rutgers is a well-known challenging job, but Ash's struggles were particularly egregious. The first-time head coach, who was Ohio State's co-defensive coordinator at the time of his hire, won only three Big Ten games in four seasons, lost 11 games in Year 2 including to Buffalo and never showed any signs of competency or improvement. If there was a positive from the Ash era, it led Rutgers back to the guy who knows how to win in Piscataway: Greg Schiano.
Ash joined Ohio State in January 2014 as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach under Meyer. His impact was immediate, transforming a Buckeye defense that ranked 112th in pass defense and 47th in total defense in 2013.
In 2014, Ash’s defense ranked 19th nationally in total defense, fourth in interceptions (24), and fifth in turnovers gained (33), contributing to Ohio State’s Big Ten and National Championship titles. Key players like Joey Bosa, a unanimous All-American, and Eli Apple thrived under his guidance.
In 2015, the defense improved further, ranking second in scoring defense (15.1 points per game) and ninth in total defense (311.3 yards per game). The Buckeyes finished 12-1, defeating Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. Ash’s strategic acumen and ability to develop talent solidified his reputation as an elite defensive coach.
In December 2015, Ash was named head coach of Rutgers, signing a five-year, $11 million contract. Tasked with rebuilding a struggling program, he aimed to instill a winning culture, drawing from his Ohio State experience.
However, his tenure was marked by consistent struggles. Rutgers went 8-32 overall under Ash, with a 3-26 record in Big Ten play. His best season was 2017, finishing 4-8 with three conference wins. Despite efforts to improve recruiting and team culture, the Scarlet Knights suffered heavy losses, including a 52-0 defeat to Michigan in 2019.
Ash’s conservative game-day decisions and inability to improve the offense, which ranked among the nation’s worst, led to dwindling fan support and attendance. He was fired after four games in 2019, with Rutgers owing him significant buyout funds.
After Rutgers, Ash coached in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders, later returning to the Jaguars as a scout in 2024. In 2025, he was named Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator, reuniting with Marcus Freeman. His extensive experience positions him to bolster the Fighting Irish defense.
