Report: Big Ten program expected to hire Alabama analyst for on-field role

Greg Schiano has a big move in the works. According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, Schiano is expected to hire Alabama analyst Mark Orphey as the new cornerbacks coach at Rutgers. Additionally, the Scarlet Knights are promoting quality control coach Drew Lascari to safeties coach.

“Sources: Rutgers is expected to hire Alabama analyst Mark Orphey as the new corners coach and will promote quality control coach Drew Lascari to safeties coach,” tweeted Thamel. “Longtime Greg Schiano assistant, LB coach Bob Fraser, will be moving to a senior assistant role off the field.”

Prior to joining Nick Saban at Alabama, Orphey spent two seasons as the defensive backs coach at Utah State. Additionally, the soon-to-be Rutgers cornerbacks coach also worked at Montana State and South Carolina. During his playing days, Orphey suited up for Texas Southern.

As for Lascari, his promotion comes after four seasons of work for the Scarlet Knights. Prior to spending last season as a defensive assistant, he served as a special teams quality control coach, and even had a stint as the team’s quarterback coach in 2019. Now, Lascari will be in-charge of the Scarlet Knights’ safeties.

Finally, Thamel adds that veteran Rutgers assistant Bob Fraser is entering an off the field role. After a lengthy coaching career that includes over a decade with Rutgers and experience in the NFL and at Ohio State, Schiano is keeping Fraser around — just in a different capacity.

Greg Schiano has made it his mission to rebuild Rutgers in his second stint with the program. Entering his third season back in Piscataway, the leader of the Scarlet Knights will continue to build his staff with quality coaches.

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While Greg Schiano is beefing up his defensive staff, he lost a great one in former defensive backs coach Fran Brown. Last month, the Georgia Bulldogs hired Brown away from New Jersey, bringing him to Kirby Smart’s staff.

“Georgia is set to hire Rutgers’ Fran Brown as a defensive backs coach, sources tell @on3sports,” tweeted On3’s Matt Zenitz in February. “First reported by @petethamel. Brown, who was previously a co-DC at Temple, ranked as one of the top recruiters in the Big Ten for the 2022 cycle.”

Brown played college football at Western Carolina from 2003-2006. He played in the NFL from 2007-2008. After his playing career, he began his coaching career. Since 2010, Brown has held multiple positions, including defensive backs coach, assistant head coach, and co-defensive coordinator. He has worked at Temple, Baylor, and Rutgers at the collegiate level.

Brown is known as a strong recruiter. He interviewed for the open Temple head coaching job after the 2018 season, but he was passed over twice. First, the Owls instead hired Manny Diaz. Then, Rod Carey once Diaz took the Miami job 17 days after his hiring.