The Los Angeles Chargers are expected to bring Julian Campenni on board as their new assistant defensive line coach, marking another significant shift in Rutgers’ defensive coaching staff. Campenni, who coached outside linebackers for the Scarlet Knights, becomes the second Rutgers assistant to leave the program this week. Earlier, Tyrell Smith, the former Associate Director of Player Development, accepted a position with Virginia Tech.
Campenni still had a year left on his contract with Rutgers, where he was set to earn $300,000, but the opportunity to jump to the NFL proved too good to pass up. It’s a big move for a coach who’s been steadily climbing the ladder, and it leaves a notable gap in a Scarlet Knights defense that’s already undergoing change.
Over the past two seasons, Campenni played a key role in shaping Rutgers’ edge defenders. Initially listed as the defensive ends coach in 2024 and 2025, he transitioned to outside linebackers coach during the most recent offseason. His impact was felt both on the field and in recruiting-an area where he built a strong reputation.
Before his time in Piscataway, Campenni spent five seasons coaching at Bowling Green and began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Boston College. As a player, he was a durable and dependable presence at UConn, appearing in 47 games during his college career. That experience has translated well into his coaching style-tough, detail-oriented, and relatable to the players he mentors.
With Campenni’s departure, Rutgers is now down to just one returning defensive coach from last season: defensive tackles coach Charlie Noonan. That’s a stark contrast from just a year ago and underscores the challenge facing new defensive coordinator Travis Johansen, who now has another key position to fill on his staff.
And Campenni’s exit isn’t just about X’s and O’s-it’s also a blow to Rutgers on the recruiting trail. He was widely regarded as one of the program’s top defensive recruiters. His fingerprints were all over the development of players like Jordan Walker, a former walk-on who led the team in sacks in 2024, and rising Big Ten contributors like Eric O’Neill and Bradley Weaver.
For the Chargers, this is a savvy hire. They’re getting a coach who knows how to develop talent and connect with players, and who’s proven he can find and maximize potential. For Rutgers, it’s another piece of the puzzle gone, and a sign that Johansen’s rebuild on the defensive side of the ball is just getting started.