Schiano to coach Rutgers

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) _ Rutgers took one from Miami in football. <br><br>Hurricanes defensive coordinator Greg Schiano agreed Thursday to coach Rutgers, accepting the daunting task of turning around a

Friday, December 1st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) _ Rutgers took one from Miami in football.

Hurricanes defensive coordinator Greg Schiano agreed Thursday to coach Rutgers, accepting the daunting task of turning around a football program that hasn't had a winning season since 1992 or gone to a bowl game since 1978.

At 34 years old, Schiano will be one of Division I-A's youngest coaches. He replaces Terry Shea, who resigned under pressure after failing to post a winning season in five years at the birthplace of college football.

Schiano will be introduced at a news conference Friday, athletic director Robert E. Mulcahy said.

Contract terms were not immediately available, but a source close to the school, who requested anonymity, said Schiano received a five-year, $2.5 million contract to coach at the state university of New Jersey.

``We are excited to have Greg Schiano take over our football program,'' Mulcahy said Thursday night. ``I think he brings the qualities necessary for success. He is young, energetic and gives us a Jersey flavor.

``He knows the Big East Conference and the landscape we compete in. His background not only includes winning programs, such as Miami and Penn State, but also the NFL, which gives him a unique and complete perspective.''

Schiano was not immediately available for comment. Nick Christin, Schiano's attorney in Miami, did not return two telephone calls left at his office by The Associated Press.

The Scarlet Knights, 11-44 under Shea, including 4-30 in the Big East. Rutgers was 3-8 this season, 0-7 in the Big East, a conference that includes No. 2 Miami.

``He is what Rutgers needs,'' Miami athletic director Paul Dee said at the Hurricanes' football awards banquet Thursday night. ``He's from New Jersey. He's a very good coach. He knows how to recruit and he's recruited that state and area well. It's a great thing for Rutgers, a great thing for the Big East and a tremendous loss for the University of Miami.''

Schiano, a Wyckoff, N.J., native who played at Bucknell, emerged as the leading candidate this week after holding two days of talks with Mulcahy in New Jersey.

Mulcahy originally tried to hire Western Michigan coach Gary Darnell. But Mulcahy lost interest when Darnell stalled in making a decision so he could consider overtures from North Carolina, Missouri and Oklahoma State.

In going to Rutgers, Schiano will be leaving one of the nation's best defenses for one of the worst.

Miami (10-1, 7-0 Big East) ranks sixth in the nation in scoring defense, giving up an average of 15.5 points. The Hurricanes, who have won nine straight games, are 22nd nationally in rushing defense (112.7 yards) while giving up 333.3 yards in total defense.

It's doubtful Schiano will be able to do that at Rutgers, which finished last in the Big East in scoring defense (36.3 points), rushing defense (222.2) and total defense (423.4 yards).