Knight News The Official Rutgers Touchdown Club Newsletter

Show Your Support and Passion for Rutgers Football…12 Months a Year

February 2020 Coach Schiano Finalizes His On-Field Coaching Staff For 2020 Season Along with recruiting, the first two months of Head Coach ’s time back On the Banks has been dedicated to building his on-field coaching staff for the 2020 **GET ALL IN NOW** football season. Nine new assistants have been added including some familiar faces, Join R Community from previous stints at Rutgers, a few newcomers to the Banks and a former standout player returning home. There is both collegiate and NFL coaching experience across Be a RU Football Insider! the group, as well as lots of northeast and New Jersey connections. Show your 12-month support for Here is an overview of Coach Schiano’s 2020 on-field coaching staff. Join us in Coach Schiano, his staff and welcoming them On the Banks! players…be with the team through Sean Gleeson – Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Ran one of the most explosive offenses in FCS at Princeton helping them to 2020 recruiting an undefeated 2018 season. Comes to RU after one year as offensive Spring Practice / Spring Game coordinator at Oklahoma State. A native of Glen Ridge, NJ. Summer pre-season camp Robb Smith – Defensive Coordinator 2020 Season Kick-off Previously spent four seasons at RU from 2009-12. Also worked with Coach In honor of Coach Schiano’s return - Schiano at the . Served as defensive coordinator at Minnesota 2017-18. Native of Leechburg, PA. all new members will receive next year’s membership in addition to the Andrew Aurich – Offensive Line remainder of this year. Served on prior staffs with Coach Schiano at RU and Tampa Bay. Spent six Note: Membership runs July-June seasons with Sean Gleeson at Princeton. Promoted to Princeton’s offensive coordinator for 2019 season. Native of St. Paul, MN. To join go to: Fran Brown – Secondary http://rutgerstdclub.com/ Hired by Coach Schiano December 7th, as first defensive assistant to join his new staff after previous stints at Temple and Baylor. Known as top membership-info/ recruiter. Native of Camden, NJ. Membership Benefits Nunzio Campanile – Tight Ends ▪ Membership meetings with the Third season at RU, served as interim head coach and OC for final 8 games coaches, athletic staff, players of 2019. Compiled 60-28 record as head coach of powerhouse Bergen (food/drink served) Catholic from 2010-17. Native of Fair Lawn, NJ. ▪ Invitations to members-only events Bob Fraser – Linebackers ▪ Discounted away game bus trips th First season back at RU (4 stint), has been part of 6 bowls (5 wins). Spent ▪ Free tickets to select Rutgers 2019 season as assistant for , after 3 years at Ohio State. 35 years of coaching experience. Pittsburgh, PA, native. basketball, soccer, lacrosse, and wrestling contests Augie Hoffmann – Running Backs ▪ 20% off non-sale apparel at Scarlet One of the most respected NJ high school coaches, led perennial power St Fever in New Brunswick Joseph Regional (Montvale) to a 50-19 record and 4 state championship games in 6 seasons. Native of Park Ridge, NJ. ▪ 10% off at Panico’s Restaurant, New Brunswick Jim Panagos – Defensive Line ▪ Email notifications of club meeting Previously coached at RU in 2012-15, returns to coach defensive line. dates and special events Spent 2019 season in same role at Minnesota helping Gophers to 10-2 record and berth in Outback Bowl. East Islip, NY, native. Adam Scheier – Special Teams Native of The Bronx with 24 years of collegiate coaching experience, 20 working with special teams. Spent 2019 as senior special teams consultant at Mississippi State. Tiquan Underwood – Wide Receivers 4-year letter winner (2005-08), holds RU record for receiving yards in game (248 vs. Buffalo 8/30/07). Spent 5 seasons in NFL. New Brunswick native. IT’S TIME!! Worked on ' staff in 2019 . February 2020 Touchdown Club's Endowed Scholarship Recipient - Matthew Thomas Redshirt Freshman Matthew Thomas was this year’s recipient of the Touchdown Club’s Endowed Scholarship. The 6-3 defensive lineman appeared in three games during the 2019 season. As a true Freshman in 2018, Matthew appeared in two games making him eligible for a redshirt. Before coming to RU, Matthew attended Midwood High School in Brooklyn, NY, where he was coached by Anthony Odita. In his senior season, he helped the Hornets to a 7-1 record playing defensive end and tight end. On defense, Matthew recorded 47 tackles and nine sacks while adding two receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown on offense. He was named First Team All-USA New York Football Team by USA Today in 2017. As a junior, Matthew was an All-City performer. To express his appreciation to the Touchdown Club, Matthew sent the handwritten message below. The Touchdown Club’s Endowed Scholarship is made possible through TD Club fundraising efforts as well as with additional donations. If you would like to contribute, please use this link and specify “Touchdown Club Inc. Endowed Scholarship”.

Dear Rutgers Touchdown Club, I hope this note finds you well. I’d like to take a moment to thank you for your support through the Touchdown Club Endowed Scholarship. Currently, I am a redshirt freshman defensive lineman on the football team. This fall semester, I took a variety of classes including classes involving the workplace. My goal after college is to get into real estate property sales and hopefully start a business of some kind when I figure out what I’d like to do for the rest of my life. I am looking forward to that next chapter of my life and am currently looking for internships to give me a head start. Because of supporters like you I AM LIVING MY DREAM! Would love to meet anyone that helped me get here. Thank you from the bottom of my soul!! GO RU!! Sincerely, Matthew Thomas

2 February 2020 “LET'S ALL GET OUT AND SHOW COACH SCHIANO, AND THE TEAM, THE GREAT SUPPORT OF OUR RUTGERS TD CLUB AT THE SPRING GAME.”

Martin Allen, President Rutgers Touchdown Club

2020 Saturday, April 25 SHI Stadium

The Annual Touchdown Club Items to Donate? Silent Auction, is one of our We are seeking donations of merchandise, gift certificates, tickets, special guest passes, autographed memorabilia, experiences, and other similar major fundraising events items for the 2020 Silent Auction.

Want to Volunteer? Held in conjunction with We need volunteers for the 2020 Silent Auction. Don’t be bashful. Join us. Rutgers Football Help the Touchdown Club reach its 2020 fundraising goals. 2020 Want More Details? Spring Game Contact: Lori Kaye, Rutgers Touchdown Club Auction Chair Scarlet vs. White P: 732-407-9489 E: [email protected]

Editor: Ed Farris 3