Rutgers Will Have To Make Another Position Coach Hire This Offseason
Cornerbacks coach David Rowe is expected to leave the Scarlet Knights to become the new cornerbacks coach at the University of Cincinnati, an anonymous source told Scarlet Nation. The move comes after Rowe spent two seasons on Rutgers’ staff, including 2025 as the primary coach of the cornerbacks.
Rowe has been a familiar face in Piscataway since 2024, first as assistant cornerbacks coach before being elevated to the lead role this past season. His ties to the program run deep, as he played four seasons for Rutgers and started three at cornerback and safety, totaling 156 tackles, 16 PBUs, five interceptions, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.
After his playing career, Rowe built his coaching resume at Valdosta State, Rockledge High School, Western Michigan, and in the NFL with the Buccaneers under Greg Schiano. He became the cornerbacks coach and eventually the secondary coach at Central Michigan before repeating the same path with Houston, focusing on recruiting and developing fundamentals while working his way to becoming the secondary coach in 2022.
Rowe is originally from Florida and has recruiting ties to the state, having been praised by recruits for his ability to develop and maintain relationships at multiple stops. This season, his task was difficult, as Rowe had to replace Eric Rogers and Robert Longerbeam, who both departed for the NFL. As Rutgers shifted from having three safeties to three cornerbacks, they needed to find three new players to fill the void.
Rutgers’ trio of cornerbacks often struggled in coverage, as Cam Miller (slot), Jacobie Henderson, and Bo Mascoe were targeted 155 times this season and gave up 102 receptions, 1,276 yards, and 13 touchdowns on the season, a significant increase from the top three cornerbacks’ numbers in 2024.
Miller is now out of eligibility, while Mascoe announced his intention to enter the transfer portal, meaning that Henderson is the only one of the trio who is set to return next season. With players on all three levels of the defense set to graduate or leave in the portal, next year’s defensive personnel will look vastly different.
Rutgers has already made several changes to its coaching staff, firing both of its defensive coordinators in Robb Smith and Zach Sparber, in addition to defensive line coach Colin Ferrell. The program also hired Jim Turner to fill the suddenly vacant offensive line coach position, as Pat Flaherty’s contract was not renewed this offseason.
As the defensive coordinator search remains ongoing, the Scarlet Knights will now have to look for another cornerbacks coach as well, but Schiano will likely be able to align his defensive staff, given the multiple replacements necessary on the staff.
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Category: General Sports
