Rutgers hires Jay Niemann as defensive coordinator

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) Rutgers has hired Jay Niemann as its defensive coordinator. Coach Chris Ash announced the hiring of the Northern Illinois defensive

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) Rutgers has hired Jay Niemann as its defensive coordinator.

Coach Chris Ash announced the hiring of the Northern Illinois defensive leader on Wednesday.

Niemann has more than 25 years of coaching experience, including the last five as the defensive coordinator at Northern Illinois. He spent six seasons as the head coach at Simpson College and was the defensive coordinator during Ash's playing days at Drake.

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Ash says Niemann's defenses were built on effort, fundamentals, execution and toughness. His unit forced 29 turnovers this season, intercepting 22 passes, and limited Ohio State to 20 points.

Northern Illinois has won Mid-American Conference West in each of the past five years with three league titles.

Niemann came to NIU after spending three seasons as co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Hardin-Simmons in Texas.