MM 9.30: Rutgers football head coach Chris Ash fired ahead of Maryland matchup

When Maryland football faces Rutgers this upcoming Saturday, the Scarlet Knights will have a much different look.

The program announced the firing of head coach Chris Ash and offensive coordinator John McNulty on Sunday, following a 52-0 loss to then-No. 20 Michigan the day before.

Tight ends coach Nunzio Campanile will take over as interim head coach and offensive coordinator despite little experience coaching on the college level. He joined the Scarlet Knights staff in February 2018 after coaching Bergen Catholic High School to a 60-28 record from 2010-17.

“This change is especially difficult because of the steadfast commitment that Chris and his family have made to our student-athletes,” Rutgers Director of Athletics Pat Hobbs said in a press release. “Progress has been achieved in many areas, but, unfortunately, that progress has not been realized on the field of play. As such, it is in the best interest of the program to make a change.”

Ash had the Scarlet Knights off to a 1-3 start in 2019, and the team has produced an 8-31 overall record, going 3-26 in Big Ten play, since his arrival four years ago.

Campanile, who was running backs coach last season, will now try to steer Rutgers through the rough waters of the conference, starting with Saturday’s matchup against Maryland. Offensive assistant John Weiss is expected to take over the tight ends group, while offensive quality control coach Drew Lascari is expected to become the quarterbacks coach, per NJ Advance Media.

Coming off a 59-0 beatdown at the hands of Penn State, the Terps will look to use the sudden coaching change to their advantage.

In other news

Catch up with our football coverage from the weekend:

• Maryland football demolished by No. 12 Penn State, 59-0
• Four takeaways from Maryland’s 59-0 loss to No. 12 Penn State
• Here’s the photo gallery from the game.
• Maryland wide receiver DJ Turner charged with DUI

We had a very special ouTTakes podcast come out Friday with three-time Pro Bowler “Lights Out” Shawne Merriman. Give it a listen here.

Maryland women’s soccer managed to upset No. 20 Rutgers for a 2-1 victory on Saturday. It was the Terps’ first road win since 2017.

No. 4 Maryland field hockey also picked up a win over a ranked team on Saturday, defeating No. 18 Rutgers 2-1.

Maryland men's soccer couldn't pick up a win over the weekend though, ending in a 0-0 draw at Wisconsin.

Maryland volleyball was swept by Michigan State, starting its Big Ten slate with two losses.

The Maryland men's basketball team was at Friday night lights to sign autographs for fans.

Maryland women's basketball went to the first game of the WNBA Finals to support all the program’s former players on the Washington Mystics and the Connecticut Sun.

Former Terp Alyssa Thomas had a historic game in that matchup.

Former Maryland women's lacrosse goalie Megan Taylor returned to College Park for the Penn State game.

Former Maryland men’s soccer goalkeeper Zach Steffen continues to impress in his pro career.