It's official: Chris Ash is new Rutgers head football coach

Ohio State defensive coordinator Chris Ash has been hired to coach Rutgers.

Rutgers' board of governors approved Ash's contract on Monday.

The 41-year-old Ash has been defensive coordinator at Ohio State the past two seasons, building the defense into a top 20 unit nationally.

Ash replaces Kyle Flood. Flood was fired following a 4-8 season in Rutgers' second Big Ten campaign.

Ohio State won the national championship last season and went 11-1 this season, boasting its best defense since 2010. Ohio State is tied for fourth in the nation in yards allowed per play (4.39).

The Scarlet Knights played poorly and had issues off the field. Flood was suspended by the university for three games in September improperly communicating with a professor. Seven football players were also arrested in September.

Flood and athletic director Julie Hermann were fired the day after the regular season finale. Patrick Hobbs was hired to replace Hermann.