Schiano adds to coaching staff

-Courtesy of Rutgers University

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (February 29, 2008) – Rutgers head football coach Greg Schiano announced the addition of three coaches to the staff along with two promotions of current staff members. Joining the Rutgers football program is running backs coach Gary Brown, wide receivers coach Kirk Ciarrocca and defensive line coach Gary Emanuel.

Schiano also announced that Kyle Flood has been promoted to assistant head coach and will continue to serve as the team’s offensive line coach. Chris Hewitt has also been named Rutgers’ cornerbacks coach. He was the Director of Speed and Skill Development for the Scarlet Knights prior to the reorganization. Hewitt fills the vacancy created by the resignation of secondary coach Chris Demarest.

“I have enjoyed my time and have learned a great deal coaching alongside Cary, Chris and Robert,” said Schiano. “I wish them the best in their future endeavors. Looking forward, I am eager to work with our new staff. The three coaches we have added bring a wealth of experience to Rutgers and are great coaches and great people.”

Brown replaces former running backs coach Craig Ver Steeg, who accepted a coaching position with the Baltimore Ravens. A former standout running back and defensive back at Penn State from 1987-90, Brown spent the previous two seasons as offensive coordinator at Susquehanna University. A native of Williamsport, Pa., Brown played eight seasons in the NFL after the Houston Oilers selected him in the eighth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. Brown played for the Oilers, Chargers and Giants during his NFL career and rushed for 1,000 yards two times, including 1,002 in 1993 en route to All-AFC honors with Houston. During Brown’s senior season at Penn State, Schiano was a graduate assistant on the 1990 Nittany Lion squad.

Ciarrocca joins Rutgers as the wide receivers coach and replaces Robert Jackson, who retired from his on-field coaching position, but will remain with the program. Prior to Rutgers, the Red Land, Pa., native was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Delaware since 2002 and was an integral part in leading the Blue Hens to the 2003 Division I-AA National Championship. The Blue Hen offensive unit was impressive again during the 2007 season when Delaware posted an 11-4 record and advanced to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision title game. Delaware, paced by consensus All-Americans in quarterback Joe Flacco, running back Omar Cuff, and offensive tackle Mike Byrne, led the Colonial Athletic Association in scoring (36.2, 11th in NCAA), total offense (460.6, 6th in NCAA), and passing offense (289.5, 11th in NCAA). Ciarrocca has been in the coaching ranks since 1990, including stints at Penn and Princeton.

Emanuel returns to his native East Coast after spending the 2007 season as the defensive line coach at San Jose State. He takes over as defensive line coach at Rutgers for Cary Godette, who retired from his position. Emanuel has more than 20 years of coaching experience, including a two-year stint as the San Francisco 49ers defensive line coach in 2005 and 2006. A native of Philadelphia, Pa., Emanuel has coached for three BCS programs during his career. He spent three seasons coaching the defensive line at Washington State (1994-96), three at Syracuse (1991-93) as the defensive line coach and eight years at Purdue (1997-2004). During his time with the Boilermakers, he coached the defensive ends, tackles and later was promoted to assistant head coach for the final two seasons at Purdue. Emanuel has been part of 11 teams that participated in bowl games and has coached 12 players who have gone on to play in the NFL. He mentored defensive end Anthony Spencer at Purdue, who went on to be a first round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys.