Ash to reunite with Herman as UT’s defensive coordinator
AUSTIN — It was no secret that Tom Herman wanted to make former Rutgers coach Chris Ash the Longhorns’ new defensive coordinator.
Multiple sources confirmed Sunday that Texas planned to hire his former colleague to replace Todd Orlando, fired Dec. 1 after five years as Herman’s defensive play-caller, the first two at Houston. That news was confirmed Tuesday morning, one day before the start of the early signing period.
Ash will join the Longhorns staff today but will not coach in the Valero Alamo Bowl.
“After taking a hard look at a lot of options at defensive coordinator, Chris was the one that continued to stand out,” Herman said. “We couldn’t be more excited what he’ll add to our staff.
“I’ve witnessed firsthand Chris’ skills as a game planner, his attention to detail and ability to develop players. He gets the best out of every one of them and has a history of building physical, fundamentally sound, winning defenses. He has done it at the highest level, is a tremendous allaround coach, and an awesome person.”
Ash, fired by Rutgers in September after a 1-3 start and 8-32 overall record over three-plus seasons, was Ohio State’s defensive coordinator in 2014 and 2015. Herman was the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2012 to 2014 before leaving for Houston.
Ash also spent time in Austin after his firing working with the Longhorns as an analyst, and he and Herman were on the Iowa State staff together in 2009.
“I’m humbled and extremely honored to be able to coach football at the University of Texas,” Ash said in a statement. “I have a great deal of respect for coach Herman as a coach and a person. If I didn’t believe in him, I wouldn’t be making this move. I have complete confidence and faith and trust in his ability to lead and to coach, and I’m excited to be a part of this program.”
Ash, 45, had been Herman’s primary target since the search
began earlier this month. Ash is still owed about $7 million under terms of his contract with Rutgers, which runs through 2022, though whatever he makes at Texas will be deducted from the amount owed.
An open records request has been submitted for the terms of Ash’s contract, which must be approved by the Texas board of regents.
Orlando’s defense was the driving force behind UT’s modest success in 2017, but his unit backslid over the next two seasons. It disappointed in nearly every facet throughout a 7-5 campaign this year, ranking No. 74 in third-down defense, No. 108 in total defense, and No. 127 in passing yards allowed.
The group struggled to stay
healthy as several key players missed multiple games, including Caden Sterns, B.J. Foster, Jeffrey McCulloch, DeMarvion Overshown, Anthony Cook, Josh Thompson, Chris Brown and Jalen Green.
The hope is that Ash can better develop all the talent that flocks to Austin year after year.
“Texas is a place with a lot of history and tradition,” Ash said. “It’s synonymous with success. There are great players that have been in this program, there are great players in this program, and I’m really excited about what we can do in the future.
“I’ve recruited in the state of Texas. When I was at Ohio State, I had been in the state to recruit, and as a young coach at Iowa State in the Big 12, I always thought Texas
was the gold standard and would be a place you would want to be at and work at, and I’m thrilled about this opportunity.”
In Ash’s first year at Ohio State, its defense was among the nation’s best, ranking No. 13 in sacks, No. 19 in total defense and No. 26 in scoring defense. The Buckeyes were even better in 2015, finishing No. 2 in scoring defense and No. 9 in total defense.
Ash solves one problem, though Herman still has hires to make.
The search for an offensive coordinator to replace Tim Beck, who was reassigned, has hit a lull with USC’s retention of Graham Harrell and LSU’s determination to retain 2019 Broyles Award winner Joe Brady.
But Herman at least has found the man he believes can repair the defense. Whether he falls from grace as quickly as Orlando did might determine the future of this regime in Austin.
“I think there’s a lot of positivity, a lot of excitement about what the future can hold,” Herman said. “I think they all know, especially on the defensive side of the ball, that the level of play consistently was not to the standard of the University of Texas, that it needs to improve.
“I think they were very appreciative of myself and our administration for addressing that fact, making sure that we play better and produce at a much higher level on that side of the ball.”