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Rutgers Names Kyle Flood Next Full-Time Head Coach

Rutgers is now without Greg Schiano, perhaps the best coach in program history. He's left for the Bucs. SI.com: Not a good NFL fit. Head here for Greg Schiano-to-Bucs coverage from the NFL side.

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21 Total Updates since January 26, 2012
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Mario Cristobal Staying At FIU, According To New York Times, Miami Barber

What if we were to tell you that two very, very different media outlets are now reporting Florida International coach Mario Cristobal will not take the Rutgers Scarlet Knights job, despite reports earlier in the day that he would? Here's Pete Thamel of the New York Times reporting Cristobal stays, which, yes, sure, fine, that makes sense.

From about an hour earlier, however, a well-known local barber to the stars broke the news first:

332303985_normal Cristobal will not go to Rutgers will stay as a Panther #FIU - @CanesBARBER via Twitter

So there's that. Follow our man for the latest FIU football news, I think? Sadly, this could also mean no more speculation about James Coley leaving FSU for Florida International, meaning we might have to stash our BEHOLD THE GOLD and AWE AT THE PAW recommendations for Coley's Twitter.

If Cristobal and Steve Addazio are now out, we're down to Giants offensive line coach Pat Flaherty, interim coach Kyle Flood, and ... based on earlier reports. Also, Thamel adds Cardinals assistant John McNulty.

For more on the Scarlet Knights, visit Rutgers blog On the Banks, Big East Coast Bias and SB Nation New York. For more on Tampa Bay, head to Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation and SB Nation Tampa Bay.

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Mario Cristobal To Become Rutgers Football Coach, According To Report

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights will replace Greg Schiano with Florida International coach Mario Cristobal, according to the Star-Ledger's Steve Politi. Schiano left late last week for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers job, setting up an awkward timeline with National Signing Day just days away. Offensive line coach Kyle Flood was named the interim coach.

Steve Politi@StevePoliti Mario Cristobal will be your new Rutgers coach.

Cristobal reportedly interviewed Sunday night, with Steve Addazio among the other reported candidates. He coached Rutgers' offensive line and tight ends from 2001 to 2003 before taking the same position with the Miami Hurricanes through 2006. In 2007, he took over a FIU program in such sorry shape that he actively steered recruits away from the football facilities.

Despite those conditions, he produced winning seasons in each of the last two years, a Sun Belt title and the school's first-ever bowl victory. The job he did at FIU was quite comparable to the one Schiano did at Rutgers.

For more on the Scarlet Knights, visit Rutgers blog On the Banks, Big East Coast Bias and SB Nation New York. For more on Tampa Bay, head to Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation and SB Nation Tampa Bay.

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Rutgers Coaching Search: Mario Cristobal Interviewed, Steve Addazio Out, According To Reports

Two days away from National Signing Day, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights need a new head coach. At least it's not one day away from National Signing Day! While offensive line coach Kyle Flood has been named the interim boss, a program on the up-and-up over the past decade still needs to explore its options.

Flood has reportedly been interviewed, and FIU coach Mario Cristobal, Temple coach Steve Addazio, and Giants offensive line coach Pat Flaherty have also been named candidates by the Star-Ledger's Tom Luicci. Luicci also reports one other mystery candidate, along with a Sunday interview of Cristobal.

But according to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey, Addazio won't be leaving Philly for New Jersey. That would bring us down to four candidates, if all reports are accurate.

Departed Rutgers coach Greg Schiano turned a pile of Jersey rubble into a Rutgers program capable of winning bowl games in bunches. At FIU, Cristobal won a bowl game without even a pile of rubble. He'd be the most exciting name Rutgers could bring on.

For more on the Scarlet Knights, visit Rutgers blog On the Banks, Big East Coast Bias and SB Nation New York. For more on Tampa Bay, head to Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation and SB Nation Tampa Bay.

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Greg Schiano Is 'The Right Man For The Job', Bucs Say

Breaking from tradition, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hired Greg Schiano to be the ninth head coach in franchise history. Schiano will be the first Bucs coach since inaugural coach John McKay to come straight from the college ranks to be given his first NFL coaching gig. He was given a five-year contract, which as much as co-chairman Joel Glazer's words, suggest a certain level of confidence (via Buccaneers.com):

"During our thorough search, we met with numerous impressive candidates, but Coach Schiano surely distinguished himself. From his leadership skills to his impressive track record, he is, simply put, the right man for the job."

Schiano is tasked with turning around a franchise that is coming off a 4-12 season that got previous coach Raheem Morris fired after three years. That season, as well as Morris' first in which the team went 3-13, have forced Bucs fans to relive a period of their history they probably hoped was well past them. Prior to Tony Dungy leading to the Bucs to 10-6 record in 1997, the franchise had enjoyed just two winning seasons in the first 21 years of existence. The Bucs went on to win at least nine games in eight of the next 12 seasons, and also won their only Super Bowl.

In Schiano, the Bucs clearly feel they've found the man to return them to that past glory. During 11 seasons at Rutgers, Schiano took a team that went 3-20 his first two years and turned them into a legitimate power. The Scarlet Knights went to bowls in six of his final seven seasons there and won five of them. Schiano also has some previous NFL experience, having worked for the Chicago Bears from 1996-98.

"Coach Schiano is a bright, meticulous teacher who knows how to get the most out of his players," said Buccaneers General Manager Mark Dominik. "He built and ran a pro-style program at Rutgers, and he’s a defensive-minded coach whose teams have always been characterized by toughness and a physical style of play."

For more on Schiano's hiring, be sure to check out Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation.

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Greg Schiano Leaving Rutgers Would Help Florida In Battle For Darius Hamilton

It's thought in most recruiting circles that New Jersey defensive end Darius Hamilton is likely to stay home and play for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. That would mean that the Florida Gators would finish second in his recruitment. And there's no prize for being second in a recruitment.

But Florida may have just caught a huge break. Multiple reports have Rutgers' head coach Greg Schiano set to take the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coaching job.

So the deal appears to be getting done soon, according to the report. The Bucs are getting a guy who has spent the last decade as the Rutgers head coach compiling a 68-67 record (and 5-1 in Bowl games). Prior to Rutgers, he was the Miami defensive coordinator and before that he spent three seasons on the Chicago Bears coaching staff.

Recruiting is all about relationships. And with just six days until signing day, this is going to be a disaster for Rutgers if the report is accurate. And Rutgers' biggest loss would be a huge gain for the Gators. If the report is inaccurate, look for Schaino to quickly deny it.

For more on Rutgers recruiting, visit On The Banks. For more on Florida recruiting, visit Alligator Army.

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