Posted by Chip Patterson

When Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti was charged with the task of replacing Greg Schiano on short notice, one of his first interviews was offensive line and interim head coach Kyle Flood. In a 48 hour span, Flood was named the next head coach of the program and signed the only Top 25 recruiting class in the Big East.

Flood, the longest tenured assistant on Schiano's staff, was also a popular choice for the current roster. ScarletKnights.com provided this exclusive behind the scenes look at Flood's official introduction to the team after being hired as head coach.

(HT: Football Scoop)



For more on Rutgers' recruiting class, check out Bryan Fischer's Big East Signing Day Grades at the Eye On Recruiting.

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Posted by Chip Patterson

Breaking down who won and lost in the Big East on National Signing Day

WINNER: Rutgers

Losing your head coach less than a week before National Signing Day should be recruiting suicide, but Kyle Flood was able to not only hold on to most of the Scarlet Knights' class but sign one of the top recruits in the state of New Jersey. The addition of defensive end Darius Hamilton (pictured above, No. 29 overall prospect) gives Rutgers the only Big East class in the CBS Sports National Signing Day Top 25.



LOSER: The Big East's national stock

The Big East was not a huge player in National Signing Day this year. Much of that is likely due to the uncertain football future of the league. While schools like San Diego State and Boise State may use the future move to their advantage in recruiting, an existing Big East school cannot promise a future with a BCS automatic bid.

WINNER: West Virginia

With 27 commits in the Class of 2012, Dana Holgorsen is bringing in a healthy load of talent to the Mountaineers program. There were only two National Signing Day commitments, but both were significant additions to the class. Adam Pankey is a 6-foot-5, 290 pound offensive lineman who chose West Virginia after being committed to Pittsburgh since October 2011. Talented athlete Travares Copeland was the eighth Florida prospect in the 2012 class, a new hot spot for West Virginia apparently.



LOSER: West Virginia

Head coach Dana Holgorsen mentioned on National Signing Day that the "in between" stage of the West Virginia program as they transition from the Big East to the Big 12 hurt them on the recruiting trail. While some recruits may have heightened their interest in the Mountaineers because of the opportunity to play in the Big 12, competing schools used the ongoing legal battle as a reason to turn recruits away from Morgantown.  The Mountaineers' staff was able to keep many of the commitments they expected to sign, but it could have made West Virginia a bigger player for top prospects down the stretch.

WINNER: Louisville

Charlie Strong didn't shock anyone with a big National Signing Day surprise, but the Cardinals were able to hold on to a solid class of recruits that ranks among the best in the Big East. Strong once again dipped into the Sunshine State, pulling nearly a third of Louisville's class from the state of Florida. On a day when few Big East hats were on the table for top prospects, holding on to your commits was the best case scenario for the Cardinals.

LOSER: Syracuse

While Louisville was able to hold on to some of their prized recruits, Orange head coach Doug Marrone was not so lucky. Four Syracuse verbal commits changed their mind before National Signing Day, most notably defensive lineman Harold Brantley. Brantley, a 6-foot-3, 280 pound recruit from Hershey, Pa., committed to the Orange on June 29 but had a late change of heart after visiting Missouri this past weekend. Syracuse also lost linebacker Tashon Whitehurst, who signed with South Florida.

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Posted by Chip Patterson

Rutgers offensive line coach Kyle Flood has accepted an offer be the next Scarlet Knights' head coach, sources tell CBSSports.com's Brett McMurphy.

Flood was initially named the interim head coach following Greg Schiano's departure to become the next head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccanneers. He has served on the Scarlet Knights' coaching staff as offensive line coach since 2005.  The Scarlet Knights have only had one losing season since Flood joined the staff, and have gone 5-1 in bowl appearances.  

According to The Star-Ledger, the Rutgers Board of Governors has a call scheduled for noon Tuesday. Flood is expected to be announced in a news conference later in the day.
  
As the interim head coach, Flood has been able to continue recruiting efforts up until the final dead period before National Signing Day. While some recruits - like UCLA commit Devin Fuller - have turned elsewhere after Schiano's departure, Flood's promotion will hopefully secure the rest of a strong Scarlet Knights recruiting class.

Earlier on Monday, it was widely reported that FIU head coach Mario Cristobal was set to return to Rutgers and take the job. However, CBSSports.com's Brett McMurphy and Bruce Feldman debunked those rumors. The two sides were unable to reach an agreement on terms, and Cristobal - happy with his current situation at FIU - is looking forward to coaching the Panthers in 2012.

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Posted by Chip Patterson

UPDATE: CBSSports.com's Brett McMurphy reports that Rutgers and FIU head coach Mario Cristobal were never on the same page with regard to possible contract terms, and Cristobal will remain with the Panthers.  Scarlet Knights' interim head coach Kyle Flood expected to "be the beneficiary" of the fallout.

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With National Signing Day rapidly approaching, Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti has been on the move to try and replace head coach Greg Schiano as quickly as possible. Pernetti has already interviewed multiple candidates for the job, reportedly including interim head coach/offensive line coach Kyle Flood, Temple head coach Steve Addazio, and FIU's Mario Cristobal.

Tom Luicci, of The Star-Ledger, reported that Cristobal spoke with the Rutgers athletic director on Sunday. Pernetti reportedly requested and received permission from FIU to speak with Cristobal, which a person with knowledge of the search process said "went well." Multiple reports from Philadelphia indicate that Steve Addazio plans to stay put at Temple, narrowing Rutgers' apparent wish-list to Flood and Cristobal.

When Pernetti addressed the media after Schiano's departure on Thursday, the athletic director indicated his intentions to have a new head coach named no later than Wednesday - National Signing Day. Rutgers has already lost out in-state athlete Devin Fuller, who said on Sunday Schano's decision to leave "made a big difference" in his choosing UCLA over the Scarlet Knights.

Defensive end Darius Hamilton, one of New Jersey's top in-state recruit, plans to make his announcement on Tuesday night. One would assume Pernetti hopes to have his coach in place in time for Hamilton to make his decision. With the dead period now in place until Wednesday, the only best way to end uncertainty is make headlines with a coaching hire.

Cristobal is one of the hottest rising coaches in college football, taking over the FIU program in 2007 after spending time on Schiano's staff at Rutgers (2001-2003) and Larry Coker's staff at Miami (2004-2006). Cristobal led the Panthers to their first winning season in program history in 2010, winning the Sun Belt Championship and the Little Caesars Bowl. FIU finished 8-5 in 2011, falling to Marshall in the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl.

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