Schiano adds two coaches

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (February 8, 2008) – Rutgers head football coach Greg Schiano has announced that Ed Pinkham and Chris Rippon have joined the program as assistant coaches. Pinkham will serve as an assistant coach on the defensive side of the ball while Rippon will be Rutgers’ special teams coordinator.

Pinkham and Rippon replace Darren Rizzi and Craig Ver Steeg on the staff. Rizzi was hired as the head coach of the University of Rhode Island while Ver Steeg has accepted a position with the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens.

“I enjoyed my years of coaching with Darren and Craig and wish them the best in their future endeavors,” stated Schiano. “At the same time, I am excited for Ed and Chris to join our staff. I have known both men for many years and they are a perfect fit for our program. Not only are both men great coaches, but more importantly they are great people.”

Pinkham spent the last 12 seasons in charge of Colgate’s defensive unit. Following the conclusion of the 2005 campaign, Pinkham was promoted to associate head coach at Colgate while continuing his duties as defensive coordinator.

“I enjoyed the success we had during my time at Colgate, but I am excited about the challenge of coaching in one of the top conferences in the nation in the BIG EAST and at Rutgers,” said Pinkham. “Greg and his staff are well-respected around the country and I look forward to working together with them.”

Pinkham, a native of Clark, N.J., has also served on the coaching staffs at Allegheny, New Hampshire, Minnesota and Holy Cross over his 30-year coaching career.

Rippon spent the last three years at Ole Miss as special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach. Prior to his tenure at Ole Miss, Rippon spent 12 years at Syracuse, including serving as the defensive coordinator from 1999-2003 along with the duties of special teams coordinator from 1995-98 and in 2004.

“The opportunity to come back to New Jersey and work for a coach like Greg who has done one of the best jobs in college football in rebuilding this program was a great one,” said Rippon. “When you look back at Greg’s tenure, and see what he has accomplished, the excitement, enthusiasm that surrounds the program, it’s great to be a part of that.”

During his time with the Orange, Rippon was part of a staff that won two BIG EAST Championships in 1997 and 1998. A native of Lincoln Park, N.J., Rippon has also coached at Western Connecticut State and Boston University.